The cost of doing nothing about health care

"Some may ask how at this moment of economic challenge we can afford to invest in reforming our health-care system," Obama said. "And I ask a different question. I ask how can we afford not to."
A recent report by the New America Foundation's health-policy program estimates that the cost of doing nothing about health care, including poor health and shorter lifespan of the uninsured, is well above $200 billion a year and rising. That's enough to cover the uninsured and still have some left over for other public-health needs.