Does a government backed health system like obamacare actually work, why/why not?

No one knows, it has never been tried.....Canada WORKS!.....and at 1/3 the cost Americans pay...

It May be possible for a Government backed system to work, but Obama Care is not that system.

Obama Care is not a Health Care system. It is a Power grab that places Elitist Despots in charge of not only your health maintenance but shoves you into a slot where you are no longer a unique individual. You have little choice. All your confiscated assets will be used to dictate what you can do. Tyranny it the objective for the Elitists in Government and enriching the Drug manufactures and elimination their liability when their drugs kill you is a primary goal.

That is just for starters.

The Obama Care System is Not designed to benefit the Citizen and Most of the system is Not about health care at all, but about the elimination of Choice and accumulation of Power for them. You are just a magnetic dot on their computer tape. They play the odds. If they appear to help more than they hurt, they think they can get away with it.

This is NOT government-backed health care because health insurance is regulated by each state and because all health care delivery is in the private sector except for the military. The Affordable Care Act will reduce the cost of health care for individuals and for the government by getting people insured. The government's involvement is in the IRS giving you a tax credit or fine..

It will work as well as the Post Office, Amtrak, and will be as easy to understand as the IRS tax code.

It could work.

Although Obamacare is NOT a government backed health system, not even close.

I had a good look at your private health and the hospitals in the US.

My opinion was very very average.

The US will never be classified as 1st world country so long as it doesn't have universal healthcare.

Americans seem to be self obcessed and elitist.

How do you think civilised countries have a National Health Service and Welfare State, do you think were all very rich or just stupid.

The health of a nation will reflect in the ability to work for the good of the country to enable cost affective production.

Because we pay from source a percentage depending on our salaries it isn't even missed.

The very highest erners are capped so they don't pay more than $50-60/month.

If you researched you will see how beneficial it is for you and your family but also to know that everyone in your country is cared for, regardless of ability to pay. As job security isn't assured for anyone anymore.

Every Doctor must perform a percentage of their working week to the N.H.S. for this they are paid handsomely by the State, however they are free to consult in the private medical world also if they wish, many don't wish to.

Have a little faith please as all civilised countries can't be wrong.

No. Impossible. 300 million people. 50 states - too complex. Small countries it can work. But not here. Look at our track record.

Mr. Government:

War on Poverty started in 1964. You have had 47 years to get it right; $1 trillion of our money is confiscated each year and transferred to “the professional poor” and they only want more.

The U.S. Post Service was established in 1775. You have had 236 years to get it right and it is broke.

Fannie Mae was established in 1938. You have had 73 years to get it right and it is broke.

Medicare and Medicaid were established in 1965. You have had 46 years to get it right and they are broke.

Freddie Mac was established in 1970. You have had 41 years to get it right and it is broke.

The Department of Energy was created in 1977 to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. It has ballooned to 16,000 employees with a budget of $24 billion a year and we import more oil than ever before. You had 34 years to get it right and it is an abysmal failure.

You bailed out GM and it is failing again. Stock was $31 when you bought - now it is $23/share. Terrible decision. The US government has announced a plan to sell the remaining 300 million shares of preferred stock it bought to bail out General Motors. a $12 Billion loss.

Solyndra, after receiving $535 million from DOE, filed for bankruptcy protection

You have FAILED in every “government service or adventure” you have shoved down our throats while overspending our tax dollars

AND YOU WANT AMERICANS TO BELIEVE YOU CAN BE TRUSTED WITH A GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM?

It works well in Europe. Care at the point of need to all that need it is supported by the World's main Religions

It hasn't worked ANYWHERE.

Canadians & Europeans come to the USA for the Best Health Care.

They won't much longer, eh.

Death Panels will get them, too.

everything gets more expensive when the government is writing the check........