While reading another thread (stewart vs o-reilly) there was discussion during that debate on why don't we just take the militaries style heath care and apply it on the civilian sector as well. As being a soldier for the last 9 years and have experence dealing with the healthcare system in the military I can think of more than a few reasons why it would be an awful idea, and generally why it wouldn't work very well.
1. Sick call hours- Okay so in the military when you get sick you have a very narrow window in which you can see your primary healthcare provider. The times vary from unit to unit, but within my brigade its from 545-615am. So ONLY during those hours can you actually see your PHP. You also are in a line with about 150 other people wanting to see the "doctor" as well (there is a reason for the quotation marks ill get to in a bit). I imagine most people in the civi world are used to being able to make an appointment to see your doctor when your sick for a small co-pay with your insurance company I.E. 20$ or so. Not in the military. Unless your holding a severed arm in your hand, they are going to turn you away to the ER.
2. Lack of actual doctors- Okay so we have one actual doctor in my brigade (a no shit MD). We have PA's (physican assistants) for each indivdual battalion. a battalion is typically 400-600 people large. there is usually 4 or 5 battalions per brigade. So doing some beer math, thats roughly 2000 people per doctor. BTW that doctor is also the boss and administrator for all the healthcare actions within that brigade, so they are not usually "seeing" patients. So you have a PA resoncible for the healthcare of around 400 people. Normally if its not something simple like a sprained ankle or a cold, you will get sent to see a civlian doctor.....which you have to wait for an appt...which averages about a month out. Tri-care is a private insurance company that the military uses, and only a limited number of doctors will accept this insurance.
3. Eligibility- To maintain eligibility to remain in the military and be seen by military "doctors" you have to mean certain requirments. The big one that many people wouldn't meet in the civi world is the BMI ( body mass index). Long story shot, you cannot be obese in the military. If you are you get kicked out. Roughly 50% of americans would not meet this eligiblity requirment to recieve military healthcare.
Also as a cavet to that......if you get injured doing high risk activites you could lose your "free" healthcare and be liable to pay for care out of pocket
For example....to ride a motorcycle legally while in the army you must be wearing long sleeve pants, long sleeve shirts, boots, a reflective vest, DOT approved helmet, gloves, and eye protection. You also have to have completed the armies basic rider, and advanced rider course. If you are not abiding by these rules you can be held liable to pay for any/all injuries incured if you get into a accident.
There are similar rules that apply to many other activites. I.E. ATV riding, Bicycling, skateboarding etc.
These are just 3 reasons not to look towards the military as being a golden example of how healthcare should be run. Other military members please feel free to add some more reasons.