In some industries, it makes *no* sense to encourage competition. I'd rather see heavily regulated monopolies, a la utilities. Health insurance? Killing us. ONE company, heavily regulated. Internet providers, cable providers, most financial services... we're actually DESTROYING net wealth by having these than saving it.

Yes, there's nothing like a monopoly to lower prices. Look how well that worked with AT&T!

but if you are in nyc, coned does have compet Prices in the last ten years have gone down because you can sign up for alternate energy providers. ConEd is not the only one in town anymore and prices indeed can be cheaper if you sign up for the alternate options

agree with 100% with utilities insurance isn't the problem, high cost of health care is the problem. Something needs to be done to curb costs. of course when you have a economy that is based on consumption, it makes it more difficult.

go to India or Mexico for that surgery!

Do you understand WHY there's high cost of health care? The reason is this: multiple insurance companies means NO HANDLE ON COSTS. In means now way to negotiate with providers to bring costs down. It means no easy way to look at costs. ONE payer would give us both - negotiating power AND information needed to reduce costs substantially. Why do you think single payer is completely hated by all medical players concerned?

sure, whatever works as long as it could help return costs to a reasonable level

But that's the only thing that will work single payer. period. nothing else will cut costs.

Do you understand WHY there's high cost of health care? The reason is this: multiple insurance companies means NO HANDLE ON COSTS. In means now way to negotiate with providers to bring costs down. It means no easy way to look at costs. ONE payer would give us both - negotiating power AND information needed to reduce costs substantially. Why do you think single payer is completely hated by all medical players concerned?

Do you understand WHY there's high cost of health care? The reason is this: multiple insurance companies means NO HANDLE ON COSTS. In means now way to negotiate with providers to bring costs down. It means no easy way to look at costs. ONE payer would give us both - negotiating power AND information needed to reduce costs substantially. Why do you think single payer is completely hated by all medical players concerned?

While certain economies of scale can be realized by having monopolies they also negate the need for innovation.