There was another shooting yesterday. No surprise, it happens nearly every day. The individual was life flighted to UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh.

He did not survive. At nineteen he likely had no job and no insurance. So what is UPMC to do about the noncompensated (trauma) care? Several months ago I read a statement by a UPMC executive explaining that it would be made up in some extent by those having elective surgery. That's knee and hip replacement folks. And who generally has that surgery? Seniors of course. So Medicare gets the bill in the long run and of course the premium goes up. Would a singlepayer system supported by a national sales tax work? It would certainly have a lot of problems. But consider, the drug lord that buys a Lamborghini would pay that tax. So would the illegal alien that buys a lawnmower at Wal Mart to do yard work as well as all those folks collecting welfare that buy taxable goods. Theoretically it may impact insurance premiums.