You can find lots of statistics to prove the contrary - we are living longer, fewer babies die, infectious diseases are under better control, malnutrition is down. But do they really prove that hospitals aren't financially troubled, malpractice insurance isn't sky-high, millions aren't without medical insurance, etc.?
Modern medicine is far more costly than medicine of the '50s and '60s, which was available to nearly everyone. Somehow we have to find a way to deal with that.
People in the 50s and 60s only went to the physician when they were actually sick, not upon referral of ambulance chasing lawyers because of alleged "injuries." Malpractice insurance was minimal.
Today, any time someone's name is in the paper concerning an auto accident the person is swamped with letters from lawyers saying "Better safe than sorry! Let one of our friendly, cooperative chiropractors evaluate you for possible injuries. It won't cost you a dime!"
They flood the daytime "court" TV shows with their ads. Look at the covers of your telephone directory for the ambulance chasers. (PLEASE, take a minute to read their ads.) They file scattergun suits against the hospital and any and all physicians who even remotely were connected to the case. They win very few, but their frivilous suits raise the malpractice rates.
I'm glad my wife and I were able to retire early. Until something is done to limit the size of awards and punish those who file frivilous suits physicians will continue to get out or move to better states.