We’ve traditionally relied on doctors to make such decisions. But the rise of medical technology means that there are far more ways to spend money on health care than there were in the past. This makes so-called “flat of the curve” medicine, in which doctors call for every procedure that might be of medical benefit, increasingly expensive.
Moreover, the high-technology nature of modern medical spending has given rise to a powerful medical-industrial complex that seeks to influence doctors’ decisions. Let’s hope that extreme cases like the one reported in The Times a few months ago, in which surgeons systematically used the devices of companies that paid them consulting fees, are exceptions. Still, the drug companies in particular spend more marketing their products to doctors than they do developing those products in the first place. They wouldn’t do that if doctors were immune to persuasion.
Why have health care costs gone through the roof?
4 Comments to “Why have health care costs gone through the roof?”
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I’m not subscribing to the N.Y. Times, but politically, we’re on the same side. 🙂
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You can view the NY Times articles by creating a free account.
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Hey Ben, just hey.
I like what you are doing here.
I have the free NYT account……and NPR.
Nuff’ said?-
Hey SB! Thanks for visiting.
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DRUDGE RETORT 