Interesting question David1961. First off let me start by saying that nationalized health care would be the worst thing that could possibly happen. Now before I get flammed into next week.... listen to some well thought out reasons why I believe this is true.
Any business from selling hot-dogs to practicing medicine works on the same concepts of supply and demand, quality vs. availability, etc. Competition is the only force that drives a product to get cheaper, or better. If a hot dog vendor wants to lure your business away from the guy up the block, he can lower his prices, or maybe give you free pickles (making the product better).
I believe that exactly the same principle works in medicine. Not all doctors are created equal. Some are better than others, and those that do better work, typically charge higher prices. People go to places like the Mayo Clinic because there are superior doctors there for things they might need treatment on.
So now let's say that the govt now runs health care. There is no competition, as they now control the price of medicine, services, salaries, etc. This will have some very dramatic effects immediately.
Very few doctors that I have ever met were completely altruistic. Now certainly doctors got into their profession because they want to help people. But most want to be well compansated for their time spent in medical school (8 years +), and for their personal skill as a doctor. (And I have no problem with that. Most people want to be compensated well). If doctors can no longer set their own rates, and their salaries are now set by the govt, then you will see lots of doctors fleeing the medical profession, and many fewer doctors entering medical school.
So.... when I now need a doctor, are the best and brightest doctors the ones that are going to see me? No.... the doctors left will be the most unambitious of the lot, and probably not the best in their field. That concept frightens me greatly. Now some might say that this system will yield the BEST doctors, because only the least money motivated (most altruistic) will be left. Might be right.... but I do not believe there are very many completely selfless people out there. (No one that I know likes to work for less than they can earn). And finally... I would love to hear what the medical profession folks think about nationlized heathcare. Funny that you never see interviews with the actual doctors or hospitals that will be affected by this, and hear what they think about it. I would wager that you will not be able to find many doctors that would be in favor of this at all. I doubt that lawyers would like nationalized "law services" for the same reasons.
So what would I do
Not sure..... if the govt takes away my choices, then there is not much that I can do about it.
But I will also wager that if the govt does get this one to happen, you will see many of the best and brightest doctors getting together and forming their own networks that do not accept insurance at all. They will work outside the govt system entirely. They will probably charge more, but the service would be much better. If something like this came about, I would put off retirement for a while so I could afford this route instead. I hope this made sense, and that I have presented my thoughts in a clear and logical manner.