> "because I can't possibly fathom my hard earned money paying for someone else's treatment" seems to be the most common reason.
But it is anyway in fact, since that's how insurance works even privately.
There is a model somewhere in between, like the swiss system. Here we pay a deductible amount of our own healthcare per year, which can be one of several set amounts. After that insurance pays 90% up to some set ceiling, then everything.
Costs including monthly premiums are regulated for essential treatment, and people who really can't pay can ask the government for assistance. The differentiator for health insurance is in add on packages. You want a private hotel room if you ever need to stay? Extra. You want something not covered by the basic insurance (most things you might reasonably need are covered)? Extra.
This has the advantage of making the cost of unnecessary healthcare visible to people, which discourages unnecessary use a bit, while making sure that if something really does go wrong you will be treated and you don't need to worry about going bankrupt. It isn't tied to employers either.
It isn't a perfect system but my point is that there is in fact a reasonable middle ground compromise if 'everything is free' isn't acceptable. It is also quite possible to make money even with a system that charges for basic healthcare.
I agree that the US system is probably unchangeable - too many entrenched interests. It seems a shame though. We need some level of safety net as a society.