Healthcare industry a monopoly

[Sbane]

Well, I'm not surprised. Personally, I think I'd find a completely private system far more agreeable if it was backed by rigorous anti-trust laws. Small business is the lifeblood of capitalism.

The problem with healthcare is that demand for it is inelastic and thus under any conditions a just price could never exist.

1. Actually, demand for health services is quite elastic.

I would think it depends on what type of health service you are talking about. If you need an angioplasty or chemotherapy, your demand isn't going to be very elastic now is it?

Going to see a doctor for the nth time due to a fever is very different of course. This is why HSA's should become a larger part of the healthcare system.

[Sbane]

1. Actually, demand for health services is quite elastic.

Yes, but that very frequently involves the death of the person who is providing the elasticity.

Ag: When there is elasticity for necessary procedures, it is usually due to this. Whether you think that is moral, especially in the richest country on earth, is up to you.

[Sbane]

Either way, with stuff like this, my ideal system would be co-operatives and small health business with public health insurance for those who are basically uninsurable.

I agree. But no individual mandates, especially without proper cost controls.

Yeah, the individual mandate has to go along with the public option. Or else we are just leaving people at the mercy of the insurance companies.