they lobby/bribe our elected officials NOT to pass any regulations or laws that threaten the industry's profits!

In fact, one of our political parties has made their very existence dependent on the notion that Congressional regulation of ANY type for any industry is bad for the US economy. But the fact is, that non-regulation of these industries set up the US consumer to be FLEECED! This is especially the case with the pharmaceutical industry...

They are legal businesses. How would you propose getting rid of them? What would you do about the thousands of people who are employed by them? I'm all in favor of a single-payer system, but we won't get there by just taking over and abolishing the insurance companies, which would probably be regarded as an unconstitutional taking of property. Even nationalizing them wouldn't be upheld by the courts - Truman found that out the hard way when he tried to nationalize the steel industry.

There are other professions that are no longer used what did those people do?
I'm damn tired of the profit motive killing and injuring people
I for one have experienced physical damage to my body due to the fact I did not have enough money to see a doctor-and I almost died if it had not been for a Catholic hospital, but the point is my heart would NOT be weak from not having the problem taken care of when it occurred. Everyday I am forced to deal with a weak heart and must do all domestic duties besides being employed (to survive monetarily). Many times I must force myself to physically do things. Unconstitutional taking of property-how about unconstitutional taking of one's health by neglect? But I guess since that is not a constitutional right people can suffer and die for profit. What stinking values

How can we truly say we live in a free country if I can't get whiskey on Sunday?

We don't need any stinkin' insurance!

That's what they do in Switzerland. Medical costs, services, hospitalization and medications are regulated. Health insurance companies cannot make a profit on basic health insurance plans but can on supplementary plans. Those basic plans are required by all Swiss residents and the plan costs are regulated.

Read more about the Swiss system here.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_Switzerland

I still think a single payer plan would be best, but the Swiss system might be an alternate that could preserve health insurance companies ( which seems especially important to the GOP).

Insurance cos. can always change and sell home insurance, flood insurance, car insurance, travel insurance, etc., if they have to stop offering health insurance.