Dear David;
The healthcare mess is about government and politicians. I wrote an op-ed about it which was published in a couple of newspapers and the Libertarian Perspective.
See the op-ed below.
Ron Getty - SF Libertarian
Hostis res Publica
Health Care Tough Love
In 1941, a woman was given a one-page, hand-written hospital bill for $73.75 after an 11-day stay following the caesarian birth of her son. Based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index, the same hospital bill today should be $1,023. However, the actual hospital bill would be closer to $13,300. This means that since 1941 medical costs have risen at twice the rate of the CPI.
Is it possible to make health care as affordable as it was back in 1941?
First, two truths need to be understood about basic economics. Prices rise when demand exceeds supply. Prices fall when supply exceeds demand.
Achieving the increased supply of health care needed with a concurrent reduction in the bureaucracy in claims processing can reduce the cost of health care. However, let's acknowledge some relevant factors affecting health care costs and provide some health care tough love.
Go here for the rest of the op-ed:
http://ca.lp.org/lp20080123.shtml