Err, because sick people are less productive workers, and because emergency care is vastly more expensive (to the total system, including police and fire emergency services), than preventative care (which few without insurance are able and willing to partake of).

This is basic economic theory understood even by insurance companies.

Of course, what we ended up with is whatever shredded rag of compromised bullshit that was left after the "I've got mine, so why should I care what happens to other people" party ran out of ways to interfere.

It is unlikely the present form of the bill is going to help anyone.