The Simple Solution

Why don't we look at healthcare like we look at driving insurance?
Just require all adults to purchase health insurance like all drivers must have car insurance.

Let the states define what "minimum coverage" is, and focus the rest of your energy on legislation to reign in the exorbitant fees doctors, hospitals, health equipment manufacturers, and pharm companies charge.  Really, this is the problem with healthcare now, not the lack of universal coverage.

You have all raised some good points, however I fail to see why anything other than totally unfettered laissez faire capitalism is required. People should be free to choose whether to secure their healthcare or to spend the money on strip bars and alcohol and I fail to see why I should pay for their herpes treatments or liver damage when it was their choice. Everybody wins.