There is some expectation that universal coverage will put doctors and hospitals in a better position since people with health insurance can use it to pay their bills. Right?

But this assumption is really only true of people with comprehensive low out of pocket coverage. That would be the Platinum, 90% of costs covered, and Gold, 80% of costs covered,  plans of Senator Baucus' proposal.

Senator Baucus of course thinks that we should all settle with a Silver option, 73% coverage, but at this level of coverage any serious medical problem will quickly put the average family in financial distress.

Which means that doctors and hospitals will still be stuck with the bills but the good senator will pretend otherwise and cut payments to doctors and hospitals as more people are insured.

Which will free up funds that can be used to subsidize silver option health insurance plans.