I agree Lon D! There is a ton of waste because they dont have to be an efficient operation like say a private retailer or sole proprietorship business. The medical industry know up front that their services must be purchased and therefore must be subsidized by insurers and govt agencies...

Remember all that crap from, well, not too long ago: government contractors were charging like 20k for a hammer?

Sounds very similar...

Exact same deal P-man. Can I call you P-man or maybe Mr Particle would be better...

True. The question that raises another question. Did the government actually fix that problem or did they just start handling those matters in a way that doesn't show up on the budget?

it is to an extent. its paying for all the technology for the latest/greatest medication or diagnostic tool.

Hospitals/clinics are business first and foremost. Whatever costs they incur they will try to pass as much of it on to the patient.

Most hospitals would love to shut down their ER's since theyre a huge drain of resources/money. They cant turn away people with no ins whereas the clinics and other parts of the hospital can.

The second one.

Not to mention the lack of competition... In Grand Rapids,Mi for example, one company owns almost all of the hospitals and medical clinics. For the most part, all the rest are owned by a second...Hey did you all know that I can edit my posts once they are initially okayed? Hee, hee, hee....

That is the safe bet and would come as no surprise.