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First of all we need to recognize that healthcare in this country is stupidly expensive. There are many reasons for this.<br> 1. Fear of litigation - This makes healthcare providers recommend all sorts of tests to cover their behind if they get sued. Litigation also adds to costs indirectly since everyone including doctors, hospitals, manufacturers of medicines/medical equipment etc. has to pay high insurance premiums since they may be named in the lawsuit. There is also the cost of defending themselves if they are named in a lawsuit (we need 'Loser Pays' laws to prevent these lawsuits).<br> 2. Employer provided health insurance - If the consumer is responsible for shopping for insurance and not the employer, it brings competition into the marketplace and increases efficiency. <br> 3. No incentive to keep costs down - If a patient is responsible for a percentage of the medical bill, he or she will not push the doctor to prescribe medication or recommend tests that they heard of on TV. Basically, the patient will get the doctor to perform tests or priscribe medications that are only absolutely necessary.<br> <br> Once medical costs are brought down, they will be accessable to most people and stupid ideas like government provided healthcare will be avoided. Sure, it is a near impossible task since there are lobbys that will prevent politicians from implementing these changes. Politicians need the campaign contributions (legal bribes) from these lobbys to get reelected.
By GA
