insurance in general to be just that Isn't health insurance an example of socialized medicine? We invest our money into a pool so that if we get sick, society (the people vested in the insurance fund) shares the burden of one persons illness. Is that not socialized by definition?

nope, as you have a choice to subscribe and pay or not. it is not a tax levied to be dispersed as the government see fit and can implement the rules that must be followed. it is more a co-op with membership entitlements not government entitlements.

So Chi Guy, you're self employed? Which corporation do you work for? And if they don't make a profit, guess you'll just be sheet out of luck!
Your definition is scewed. It's about capitalism and free choice. If you want health insurance, get an education and a better paying job. If you want socialism, move to Canada that way you can come south of the border to get better medical care!

No, socialism infers that the government provide the benefits.

Seeing as the government doesn't run the insurance companies or the system it really can't be called socialized..........

It would be far more efficient if the government hired actuaries and took over the role of the insurance industry.

Eliminating profit margins and overpaid executives would benefit consumers.

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Well considering every lib/dem suggestion about universal health care utilizes private insurance carriers, only subsidizing lower income families to pay their premiums, that is actually what they ARE doing(calling insurance socialized medicine).

Socialism has more to do with who owns the means of production. However, the thing is, socialism isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Because the group purchasing the insurance pays THEIR money to buy the insurance. As opposed to someone else's money paying for it.
Socialism is a system where the producers pay the way for the non-producers. We have way yonder too much socialism in the US today. Means based is a nice way to say socialism. If you get an education, work, and do well, then the government will penalize you by making you pay more taxes that the person who refuses to be educated, cannot or will not hold a job, and the fool government feeds them, houses them and charges the producers the bill.
Let them starve, they won't. If it comes down to starving or working, by gosh, they will work. But, you can't provide them food for free, because they won't work. Simple as that.
Why do you people keep wanting to repeat the same old failed experiment? Hey, McFly, anyone in there? It don't work!

It becomes socialism when the government controls it thus making it no longer private and FORCED upon the people.