Looking at Israel's health care system just reinforces the common theme that these ideas, including robust primary care, a basic package of health benefits for all, mandatory insurance, etc are good ideas and work in a variety of settings. Why can't we do the same? I think what current reformers need to do is to work together instead of bickering so much that nothing ends up being done. The US needs to learn that in the end, doing something is better than doing nothing and needs to put the health of the population first. In Israel, people migrated from diverse areas but are much more united by their history of persecution and common religion (birthright, mandatory military service, etc). In the US, however, differences between groups are exaggerated and are instead used to hinder any real reform.