I would hope that you are correct about Americans making the "right " choice. However, I am not convinced that you are correct. If Americans were not attracted to luxuries such as hotel type lobbies, then hospitals would not spend the money on them. The baby delivery business is a big one and hospitals go all out on competing for patients by offering luxury deliveries.I think the only question there is did Americans demand all of that or was it sold to them by a private healthcare system, driven only by profit and growth and struggling to differentiate themselves from their competitors? I'm old enough to have seen the cultural shift that got us where we are, and I know the answer. Put it to Americans straight -- would you trade private rooms above a lobby that looks like a luxury hotel for your neighbor's ability to afford basic care -- I think Americans would make the right choice. And I don't think that speaks to my politics. I think most decent Americans, liberal and conservative, would make the right choice.
Tim
BTW, I also agree with you about the silliness of the affordable care act. It accomplishes very little no matter what you political persuasion.