I do find they are a bit prescription-happy. I do not like pills so this is an irritant. I suspect it is a dodge against malpractice: We prescribed all sorts of stuff, not our problem he croaked.
They prescribe pills because it is cheaper than actually doing something. I had Kaiser for years while working, I had excruciating back pain, their answer for when i was so much pain I couldn't get out of bed? Tough it out, it will pass.
After the company I worked for went belly up and no one would hire me I qualified for Medi-Cal and they sent me to pain management, after xrays the Fr. was so concerned he sent me for MRI, the damage to my back and neck were so severe I had two major surgeries within two years one lumbar and the other to replace four cervical disks. Nice going Kaiser! Tough it out they prescribed................and the worst part is I paid them for that wonderful medical care.