Marc: In the last couple of years I've had the dubious pleasure of paying not only exorbitant premiums for my family's healthcare, but also every healthcare expense up to the deductible. All because I am no longer covered by an employee plan, since I am "self-employed". In the last two years, the expenses of these "premiums" have exceeded 25% of my regretably low income. In the meantime, I can read in the Wall Street Journal a story of a spine surgeon who operated on one patient seven different times! And his avarice is not an exception. Turn on the TV, and you will find all sorts of drug companies touting their stuff, telling you to "ask your doctor if this is right for you". Why? Is your doctor stupid? Or does he get a kickback when he puts you on the drug? There is actually a new bill before congress that would mandate that the public sees how much and how often Medicare is charged by the medical community. This is information that the AMA and a whole lot of vested interests would prefer to be kept private.
Why is it that no doctor and no hospital posts their rates for various procedures? Until after the fact?
Ott
p.s. Petra, I take care of two cats.