The government dosen't pay for anything. They tax the people, and use the money to pay. It's our money. We're the ones paying. Universal healthcare therefore won't be 'free'. It'll cost tax money, and worse, the government will start taking notice of habits many people have and deeming them 'unhealthy' or 'overbudensome' to the system. This isn't because they care about our health. It also isn't about 'saving' the government money- they don't have any money. It's OUR money. They don't care about 'saving' it, they care about grabbing more of it. It's because they like calling the shots, and they like more of our money. Lots of really smug skinnies on here that don't seem to get that.