Is it your right to get protection from the police if you need it? Yes. Is it your right to have the fire department come if your house catches fire? Yes. Is it you self evident right to get treatment if you get cancer? Hell yes.
Actually, there's a non-trivial argument that says you should have the right to determine your own level of health coverage. If you live an immensely healthy life and want to only carry coverage that kicks in after, say, $50,000 in bills are racked up (which would cover the cancer scenario, for example, which would likely run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars), why shouldn't you be able to do so? Why shouldn't you be able to chose to take care of yourself and then put the health care savings in your pocket?
Why should someone that takes care of themselves be required to have the same level of coverage (and pay the same) as someone that doesn't take care of themselves at all?
You talk about police protection. A major difference there is that an individual has less control over the public environment to "take care of themselves." Some folks DO opt not to live in the cities, but rather in rural areas with less crimes, and they DO pay less in taxes for the police force, but, still, it's not something a person can control as much as their own health and finances.
As far as people wanting the "public option" -- sure. How many Americans know what the "public option" is? It's not even defined. Everyone assumes that it will be some wonderful and inexpensive option...which would be great. In that case, I am all for it. Of course, that's assuming it costs me less and gives me no reduction in health care.
But as always, I think it's important to see what supporters of healthcare DON'T say, even more than what they DO say.
For example, we heard "you will not have to give up your existing healthcare" but what wasn't said was "but you may have to pay more to keep it." There's a reason even the liberal bastion of America, the labor unions, are against this health care plan -- because many union health care plans will be considered "Cadilliac plans" under this bill and be subject to a 40% tax.
When more Americans realize that the public option will really mean that the middle class will have to pay to subsidize it, I think you'll see support for the public option drop like a lead balloon. The politicians already know it and that's why all but the most liberal are not pushing any 'public option.'
Steve