Alternatives to proposed changes to health care

I belong to an online forum of members of my H.S. graduating class. Recently, we have had several lively discussions going regarding potential changes to our health care system. Today, one of the members posted this, and I think it has a lot of good points which I would like to see considered by our legislators. So I am posting it here, then I plan to send it on to my elected representatives. If you agree, feel free to cut and paste into an e-mail you can forward on to your representatives... let's show them we are doing more than rejecting their proposals!

Let's solve the uninsured problem first, assuming it is as big a problem as some would have us believe?. Why don't we leave private health care and private health insurance alone? Most people have a health plan. Most people who have it like it. For those who do not, they can seek redress in the marketplace or by way of minor changes to health insurance regulation.
Why not require health insurance and require it to be reported on tax returns. For those who have qualifying insurance, great, no problem, life goes on. Qualifying insurance would have to have certain coverage and certain deductibles. For those who do not have a qualifying plan, they would pay for Medicaid through an additional tax via a means tested sliding scale. For those who do not have insurance but can afford it ( e.g. pre-existing condition), they would pay something close to market rates. For those who do not have insurance because they can't afford it, they would pay for Medicaid based upon their reported income. Obviously, some would pay nothing, others would pay something. Their care might not be the same as private insurance, they might have longer waits, but they would have some reasonable coverage. Some uninsured might even decide to buy there own private insurance. For those who oppose healthcare on religious grounds, there may be an exception. However, however, faith only goes so far when you are suffering a bleeding head wound.
There would be penalties for those who show up demanding care who do not have insurance and did not sign up for Medicare, including illegal aliens. All would be treated but would be thereafter dealt with. Illegal aliens would likely be deported. Others might face criminal penalties.
Obviously, the number of people on Medicaid would increase and the costs would increase. Everyone might need to pay an increased tax (maybe .5%) to cover the increased cost. However, this would be way less than the trillions of dollars some are asking for.
This seems to make a lot more sense than changing our entire system. Thereafter, we can look at ways to control health care costs from a market approach rather than government controlled approach. Funny, if people are required to pay for care, they might make lifestyle changes that reduce their exposure to disease.