This cycle, I've noticed a lot of Republicans refer to certain health-care plans as "socialized medicine". While even someone as thick as me realizes that that term is meant as an insult, what, really, is the problem with "socialized medicine"? Why is the term used perjoratively?
Socialized medicine means it is run by the government, and subject to government price controls, probably killing off drug research, and resulting in a lowest common denominator as to the quality of medical care. That is why it is a perjorative term, and that is why both Hillary and Obama are careful not to go there whole hog, all at once.
Having said that, I am a bit of a socialist on this issue myself, but socialist lite, and more oriented towards the Mitt approach. All must be insured, but through private insurance, with government subsidies to those who cannot afford to pay some or all of the premiums.
I hope this helps.