A + B = C.

This seems to be the justification for American health care reform where:

A. Health insurance for all is good.

B. The Canadians love it eh!

C. The Americans will get better health care.

Unfortunately, the real equation is a little more complex and looks a little more like this...

A + B + (x + y + z) + 45.7 million votes + 1.5 trillion dollars = C

Where:

x = health and hospital corporations
y = insurance companies
z = political self interest

Placed in a word problem it would look like this:

Health care for all is a good thing...the Canadians love it.  The hospital corporations, insurance companies and politicians will all work very hard to spend 1.5 trillion dollars to make it happen for the 45.7 million people who are forced to go without insurance.  How many Americans will notice an improvement in care?

Answer:  0  (To see my work on this problem click here).

Plain & Simple: A + B does not lead to C in this case.  I've said it before and I guess I have to say it again: "Insurance coverage does not equal health care."  The interests of of the corporations will be met, but the needs of the people to see providers will be further strained.   In the end, the proposed reforms won't t add up to better health care.