[Moneyguy1]

I think we are all missing the point here.

What are the principal causes for the much higher than c-o-l for medical expenses? Who is profiting the most and most basic, what efforts are being made by society (including the government) to rein in the profits of the medical industry?

Essentially, what has changed since the time when medical coverage was affordable?

I wonder what would happen if large corporations like Ford or GM decided to become "self insured" for medical expenses, with limitations on coverage to eliminate frivilous cases? IMHO, too many industries cave in to the medical "complex" and fail to question the costs.

Yeah, I agree in part with the pension plans being out of control. One of the worst abuses is the near full pay for employees that have been "idled" by cutbacks. A modest pension plan, adequately funded and providing no more than, say, 50% of final average annual wage after, say, 25 years of service and an age of no less than 60 should be do-able and if properly managed, be self sustaining.