I'm not literally uninsured. But I started thinking hard about what Obamacare would mean for the people I know.

A big chunk of people are uninsured for a reason. Health insurance makes no economic sense for them. The second (related) truth is this: People who are uninsured still get health care.

Many of the uninsured have learned that core medical needs will be met in this country. Doctors will charge less if you are a cash patient. Big ticket items can be put on credit cards. Hospital emergency rooms will see you for (effectively) free, if necessary. Using lawyers to chase the young and asset-poor is not cost-effective.

Moreover, the currently uninsured, if given insurance, are going to drive up costs by using more medical care.

How do I know all this?

Well, in part it's from reading the new report by respected economists June O'Neill and David O'Neill:

"This study shows that a large fraction of the uninsured could likely afford health coverage," states the study's executive summary by the Employment Policies Institute. "The authors show that while the uninsured use fewer health services, they still receive a large amount of care, and there is little discernable difference in mortality based on insurance status."

And partly it comes from reflecting on the people who I know.

Take my son, for example.

My son is an artist. He's spent the last four years since college graduation drifting in and out of jobs with health insurance. Finally last year, I told him: Get health insurance. It was a matter of family honor. "We aren't going to let you die," I told him. "So if you get sick I'm the one who is going to pay the bills." My son is a man of honor. Translation: Female nagging got to him.

So he got health insurance. "Three hundred dollars a month," he told me. "Oh, you are paying too much," I said. (He never fails to remind me of this exchange. "Women.")

There is no way a 26-year-old healthy guy is likely to get $3,600 a year worth out of his health insurance policy. But moms are even better than government mandates.

Here's the catch for Obamacare: Since my son is now paying for health insurance, he's also now considering a $30,000 optional surgery for which he probably medically qualifies but that he would never have considered if he'd had to pay cash for it.

Giving insurance to the uninsured will not help control health costs -- they will use more health care.

Meanwhile, one of the biggest advocates for Obamacare I know is a close relative. In her early 50s, she makes a moderate salary -- the $12,000 she pays for health insurance is "ridiculous," she says. I agree. But I can't help but notice that thanks to hard work, relatively frugal living and good investment strategies, she and her husband are millionaires.

She doesn't feel like a millionaire. She feels like someone with a modest income who has paid a lot of taxes over the years and who now wants government to help buffer her from the high cost of health insurance in the "gap years" until Medicare kicks in. If a government-subsidized plan becomes available, she's going to be knocking at the door. For the health care system as a whole that will mean less money from her and more money needed from other taxpayers. Translation: Higher government costs for the same amount of health care.

Then there is the uninsured friend who once baby-sat my son. When she contracted bladder cancer, I helped her pay for the surgeon. The cash cost to her for that surgery was a fraction of what her annual government-subsidized insurance bill now is ($2,500 a year). The only reason she now pays for insurance is that -- statistically -- bladder cancer is quite likely to recur.

Lesson: Government-subsidized health insurance will disproportionately attract people at high risk of needing future medical care. Taxpayers beware.

President Obama promised us more health care for less money.

The reality is that for the already insured, Obamacare will mean less care, rationed by government. For the uninsured it will mean much greater expense. Less care, higher costs.

Who can be for that?