Quote Originally Posted by honedright View Post
I think you are forgetting one important thing regarding the USPS vs FedEx and UPS - we are not mandated to use, or pay for, the USPS.
This is true. I don't think it is a good example to use in the health care scenario. It is, however, a great example of how individual firms can compete against the government in a fair fight.

Navaja incorrectly made the point that the government gives the USPS an advantage and it does not. We choose to use the usps or not and it only gets revenue from postage turnover.

If health INSURANCE is mandated (i.e. you can choose, but you must make a choice and can't elect to not be covered) it may return certain hospitals to profit. It is interesting to consider that effect as there are many pluses and minuses.

Good discussion so far!

-Rob