[gacook]

I'm all for fee-for-service, too...until it gets stupid. The healthcare industry has gotten stupid. Whether it's because of all the litigation (I'm sure this is a HUGE part of it), or simple greed on the behalf of the insurance providers (who each are making BILLIONS in profit each and every year) is another story.

Paying 4 different people for one broken wrist is ridiculous.

As for insurers...with my auto/homeowner's policy, I'm part of a company that everybody's a shareholder. I pay in my premiums, as do all the other people. At the end of the year, whatever money is left over (after paying salaries, accidents, etc.) is divided up amongst all the customers/shareholders. I've been with this company for over 15 years now, and I can only remember 1 year I didn't get a check from them; usually to the tune of ~$200. Why can't health insurance work similarly? I know the money I spend each month would be just as well used as toilet paper. I've been to the doc/hospital exactly 3 times in my LIFE. I've been paying in for the past 20 years, on average $400/month. That's approx. $5000 per year, or $100,000 over the course of my working years up to this point. And I've used maybe $10,000 in services. Sounds pretty good...for the insurance provider.