"People who think they are entitled to the taxpayers' money (yes, including folks on food stamps, SS & Medicare,) are the main problem in this country."
Indeed. And the reason that knee and hip care costs as much as it does is the perception that "someone else" pays.
The writers mother needing surgries is called 'demand'. That demand gurantees that some one will try to find the most cost effective way to meet it--both to maximize profits and to attract buyers. A sucker financed program that is meant to pay this cost gurantees the highest possible price. In other words the solution is the main cause of the problem: expensive medical care.
Well said!!