Assuming the US hasn't got free at the point of delivery healthcare for children already that is where they should start. People 16 or under should get free healthcare. They are a relatively strong section of society anyway and its not realistic to expect them to be responsible for their life choices at that age. If the parents are poor and can't pay they shouldn't be punished for that. It could then be seen as a right of passage going from childhood to adulthood where they take responsibility for their own healthcare if necessary and it also should be stated to them as motivation to secure a good education and employment.
Personally I find it offensive that children are not provided free healthcare.
Then hopefully the system can gradually be extended to a wider range of people once the system has become more efficient.
I understand the importance of motivation but I'm not comfortable that the difference between being rich and poor should be death. Living in poor accommodation, eating inferior food, greater risk of crime, not having nice things etc surely is enough motivation.
