[Dad was my hero]

I have no idea, but I get no income from those sources as I'm not a doctor (nor do I play one on TV).

I can tell you that I have read many articles written by doctors with economics degrees that have said that the institution of Medicare (primarily) has altered the way medicine is practiced and has increased the pressure on private health insurance to pick up some of the problems created by that government run system. Many MDs and DOs I know would rather not participate in that system. (For what it's worth.)

[FITZ]

I'm also a health care professional and not a doctor --- but I wonder how good the salaries would be if it wasn't for so much government (taxpayer) dollars rolling in. In this region only 33% has any private health insurance --- the majority get or expect socialized health care. Without so much taxpayer money coming in, most of the hospitals here would shut down.