On Wed, 11 Aug 2004 04:12:46 -0700, Larry Jaques
wrote:


It's $500-$1k to walk into a hospital for a couple stitches
nowadays, too. That's routine, wasn't expensive to learn
(over and above medical school), and takes no drugs. And
aspirin (Tylenol now) shouldn't cost $5-8 a tab.

Greed, waste, and inefficiency come to mind.

No doubt greed, waste, and inefficiency add tremendously to the costs.
But let's imagine for a moment that all three could be eliminated.
Those who can afford to pay for their care would *still* have to pay a
bunch extra to cover treatment for the poor and those who can't afford
much of anything after paying their bar/cigs/gambling etc. tabs. Might
as well make it official as other countries do, and gain all the
advantages of a single-payer system, which usually includes cutting
down on greed, waste, and inefficiency.

Wayne