[raybbr]

Most of the cost of modern “healthcare” is salaries of bureaucrats and the costs of the incredibly extensive record keeping required and the regulation of everything involved by the Government.

Don't be absurd. One record keeper at an office takes care of hundreds if not thousands of patients records. Spreading their salary over those numbers doesn't have the effect you claim.

The real reason for high care costs is that insurance companies exist. They negotiate the price and simply pass on the cost.

I received a $24K bill for a 45 minute procedure on a kidney stone. That is not what was paid int the end. But, who in their right mind can justify that kind of money for that time?

[EVO X]

That is not what was paid int the end. But, who in their right mind can justify that kind of money for that time?

Had some physical therapy on a shoulder earlier this year. The list price was $600 per hour, the negotiated price was $320 per hour. My copay was $60 per hour. I figure my copay covered the salary of the therapist and the rest went for overhead and profit at the therapy center and insurance company.

[arthurus]

Kidney stones. Next time try drinking 6 cans of real Coca Cola (no flavors, no artificial sweetener) in a two hour period while trying not to go tho the bathroom. As soon as you finish the last can eat a can of asparagus or the equivalent amount of fresh.
Don't rush the cokes, take the whole two hours. If you can't make it two hours without going to the bathroom you are probably still good but try. If you can't finish all 6 cokes, well I have got by on 5.

I am prone to kidney stones and have done this successfully three times in the last 8 years. The stones will be gone by the time you finish the asparagus. I let the stone go too long the first time and it took two applications.

My mother-in-law told me about this and I resisted doing that silliness until I finally decided to give it a go. And it went.

Of course if you are diabetic this is a no go.

[arthurus]

My doctor complains about all the resources and time required to keep up with the new records requirements. And if someone up the line questions something it multiplies all that. Insurance is a problem because of government support and regulation of insurance. Medical insurance today is NOT insurance. It is a prepaid medical plan that increases costs because that is a whole nother layer of bureaucrats whose livings the consumer is providing. They are "private sector" but still have the instincts of bureaucrats and are bureaucrats.