So why is everyone ignoring the out of control prices physicians, hospitals, and pharmacists charge?

[ghostsinthemachine]

58. I have cancer

As we speak. A lot of tests, scopes, scans, feeding tube placement, port placement and care, chemo and radiation. etc.

Literally millions of dollars worth of doctoring. Oncologists (2), surgeons, GIs, etc. 2 appts everyday since January 1st. End of five weeks chemo and radiation. Then eight weeks rest, then a esophoectomy, then 4 more weeks of chemo. Millions spent.

The staff, all of them are superb. Patient care. In the hospital the staff the nurses and the technology is outstanding. In ICU, a full time highly trained nurse watches you... And the millions of dollars with of machinery keeping you alive and comfortable. At the doctor's, cancer center, there are a lot of staff to see you get the best care. The doctors are exceptional. All of these people need to be well paid. My surgeon? Cal, Harvard, U of Michigan education, with residency at Mass General. This guy should be rich. His staff are amazing, from reception to therapy post and pre surgery.....Everyone involved should be well paid, with great benefits, retirements etc.

Behind every doctor are ten people, mostly working for the doctor (or the corporation they own), all with specialty degrees and certifications. The machinery is so expensive too. Etc?
One thing though about the system. It is morabund with paper. Why can't all my records, labs, scans, results, diagnosis, medications, doctors etc, all be on a flash drive, So I, and the doctors can access this without filling out the same forms over and over, answering the same questions, not receiving results timely, lost reports, labs etc? Here it is, everything you need to know.

Another thing. I am very thankful that I am poor! This will cost me nothing. I know a lot of people that have lost everything or were burdened with huge costs related to their cancers, illnesses. Great insurance but still hundreds of thousands of dollars in bills.