If where gonna make everyone pay more, why not just require them to have there own health care?
The major problem is that the current US healthcare system follows a Laissez Faire capitalistic approach, which does NOT ensure any sort of quality standards other then "better then the other guy". You don't forget around with people's healths, because that ultimately comes back to forget the state up (oh yeah and it's unethical but who gives a stuff about ethics these days). Plus the amount of uncertainty and anxiety towards the health system is causing some civil unrest which is also not in the state's interests.
A more organized system is needed to keep the populace from loving dying, basically. This also falls under the fact that the populace is becoming older so a higher quality healthcare system will not only be recommended but paramount to keep things as civil and respectful as possible.
Of course, some people will try to take advantage of a government-controlled healthcare system but in contrast people are currently taking advantage of the capitalistic approach and millions are suffering because of it. Hmm tough choice.