This an issue that has been getting under my skin for a while. I'm a very strong believer in the free market. As far as I'm concerned, a free market is the answer to about every problem we've had recently.
Example 1: Health Care
First, I hate President-Elect Obama's health care plan. Socialized anything is a bad plan. Second, he's not addressing the real problem with the health care industry. His plan is like giving a man with an gaping wound a blood transfusion. It might keep him alive, but he's still bleeding. The real problem is that insurance companies and government regulations have essentially removed the free market from the equation.
In a free market, two equally qualified doctors would have to maintain competitive prices to stay in business. If one were to charge $100 per visit, while the other charged $30, the first would quickly go under. Enter the insurance company. Now everyone pays a $15 copay, regardless of which doctor they see. The insurance company completely removes supply and demand from the picture. Doctors can essentially charge what ever they like, because the insurance company is willing to pay it.
I know it sounds like I'm being extremely critical of insurance companies, and I am a bit. For the record, I do think they perform an essential service for many of Americans. Some procedures would be entirely too expensive, even with competition between doctors and hospitals. However, something needs to be done to limit the effect they have on free market forces.
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