There already is basic free health care in this country. Its called the emergency department and the multitude of free and low cost family clinics and dental clinics as well as the low cost minute clinics. Any one can go into any emergency dept and get evaluated and treated and not be turned away based on ability to pay! I've said it before and I'll say it again, the emergency department is this countries safety net.
Why do you think it is taking so long to get to universal health care. The gov't knows that people can go to the emergency dept for care, even cardiac care with heart catheterizations and angioplasty. We dont and cant turn any one away ever! It's the law and its called EMTALA!