Are you willing for doctors and hospitals to make half of what they make now

[kristopher]

59. I don't think most docs are going to object.

The 5 person sample of primary providers I've asked about this is small, but those who are in it to actually practice medicine are thrilled with the idea of single payer. They HATE running a business.

Then there are those who see the opportunity for squeezing profits out of every facet and phase of heath care provision. For example, they decide that they need an extremely expensive piece of equipment not because the benefit can't be obtained locally from an other equipment owner, but because they deem ownership to be a profit opportunity that can be enhanced by inserting a new level of "caution" into their procedures.

In fact, a large part of our infrastructure is almost certainly dramatically under utilized. Of course, tightening down the screws will inevitably lead to shortages. But, that is the balancing act which is required; it has to be dynamic in order to have the system operate in the desired area of minimum cost/maximum benefit.