Medicboy, don't take this the wrong way.
I think a lot of problems extend from hospitals charging waaaaaay too much money to the people that have insurance and can pay their way. Look at doctors wages, nurse wages and even the wages of ambulance/emergency responders.
Doctors in all truth could cut their pay in half and still live nicely. However, one reason they charge so much is because of malpractice suits.
Nurses, skilled and educated as they are, are paid a heck of a lot of money. Why, because there is a shortage?
First responders, paid too much. You probably think I have no business talking about that, but in all actuality, I could have taken the EMT test after leaving the military and become one, but there is no way in hell I want to do that work. Is there a shortage of EMT's? I don't think so, but there is a lotta BS to put up as one.
Hospital equipment-outrageous costs and equally outrageous billings. This year alone I went through 4 MRI's, and if I had not had insurance I would have been a huge burden on someone else because those little 20 min tests are expensive....too expensive.
The whole health care system is fubar, and it starts with CEO's making too much. It might very well becoe federalised, and God help us if it does, but until prices come down I don't see it getting better. The industry needs to start self regulating itself.