Not competition between insurers Kirk, competition between doctors. Because most Americans only pay a co-pay neither them or their doctors can tell you what an ordinary office visit actually costs. There is no mechanism in place causing doctors or hospitals to compete with each other and provide the same service but for a cheaper price.

The cap on malpractice suits is not a major factor but it simply meets a complaint by doctors. When they cant bitch about it anymore then they have no excuse. It also is a bipartisan issue. Both parties are full of lawyers and the ABA lobbys both.

Nobody is forced to get a specific treatment here. If someone has a serious illness and doesnt take the time to research it and get multiple opinions then they are equally to blame for the service they get

I agree though, more comparative research is imperative. Ultimately I want to decide what kind of treatment I get though not the government. Those steps I mentioned were simply the first to be take in health care reform. The US is moving towards single payer system of some type whether Lyle and I like it or not, but a sudden dramatic shift is the wrong answer. It will take a long time and several changes for the US to get a system that is best for its citizens.