I wonder if you're being modded funny for implying that Java is a knockoff of .NET, because that is pretty funny. Or sad...

No offense, but I've always suspected that the biggest reason companies have irresponsible policies like the one described in the OP is because of irresponsible programming like you just described.

In order to perform collision detection, there is absolutely no reason that you couldn't track the SSN separately from the primary key on your "customers".

I'm not big on regulation, but there really should be a law preventing the usage of SSN as a PK in any data storage schema.

Where do you live? And who are the people you know? Holy cow. The median household income in the US in 2007 was $50,233.00 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Household_income_in_the_United_States). You're talking about 10% of their annual income for an unexpected expenditure.

That's HOUSEHOLD, not person. Meaning that in 10 years, 50% of the households in the US will have made $502,330 or LESS. In total, before taxes. After taxes, federal tax being 25% @ $50k, they'll have $375,000 left. In total, without spending any money on food or shelter. I won't get into the minutiae of rent and food. There's also state, local, and sales tax to consider in most places. Furthermore, the rising cost of fuel has hamstrung most workers and businesses.

I'll stop, as its clear that the "average" American worker can't afford to "pay cash" for any significant medical procedure.

I'm not sure what to say to that. It almost sounds like you're arguing that, since poor people can't afford health care, we should just let them die. I won't entertain the argument. It's been had before, in the late 19th Century, it was called Social Darwinism. You're welcome to look it up yourself: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Darwinism. Abstract: It's bullshit and evil.

For the record, my wealthy "independent" friend, the only one proposing a Britian/Canadian healthcare system for the US was Hillary Clinton. It was a terrible idea for all the points you made. Obama essentially proposes premium subsidies and a government insurance program for all citizens. To prevent another medicaid, he proposes forcing private insurers to negotiate lower costs with doctors and hospitals. No one wants to make you wait in line for 6 months for a pacemaker. Nor does anyone want to stop you from paying cash if you're willing and able.

Please, look up some facts before repeating talking points from stump speeches.

PS: Your estimates are wrong about pacemakers. The device costs $5000. It costs about $35,000 after its actually implanted.