A very liberal person that I know accused the Republicans for the present form of Obamacare. Apparently, the Republicans tried to implant a stipulation to control the cost of pharmaceuticals in Obamacare knowing full well that it would cause the very powerful pharmaceutical companies to oppose and thwart Obamacare. As a result this cost control measure was never enacted in Obamacare.
It is also interesting to note that the US is the only nation in the world not to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies to reduce the cost of drugs. As a result, research costs are borne almost entirely by the US consumer to defray the world wide discounting of pharmaceuticals.
I wonder which is more: the research costs or the advertising costs?
Why are medical costs so high? I have a theory. Don't we all? It is a combination of several factors:
1. Very powerful pharmaceutical companies find it in their interest to keep the cost of drugs high.
2. Medical schools subsidized in part by very powerful pharmaceutical companies churn out physicians who rely on high priced drugs and practices for their patients' medical needs.
3. The failure of physicians and people in general, to avoid the high cost of medical care by proper lifestyle, diet and the the judicious use of supplements.
4. The high costs that hospitals generate without any accountability to the actual costs involved.
5. The failure of insurance companies to reign in the costs of medical care.
6. The flagrant abuse of the the system by dishonest and unethical physicians and entrepreneurs.
7. The overuse of the system by the ill informed public.
8. Bush did it!!
