>> Sometimes insurers can force prices down -
I've seen cases where Medicare did that, but I've never seen a private insurer do it.


>>OTOH one can argue that only insurances deep pockets allowed those prices to balloon into insane levels in first world ;-))

Private insurers' profits are a percentage of claims paid- their motivation is obvious.



>>Past 50 everybody should pay at least a third of all medical cost to curb the tendency to milk the system. Might make people more conscious to the dangers they create not only for their lives, but their money as well by following unhealthy habits ;-)


>>Perhaps might eliminate some of the unneccessary treatments, esp. the expensive ones.


I favor an annual deductible of about $5K.
I'd raise the Medicare deductible to $1K.
That would lower premiums drastically can bring sanity back into treatment.

Again, people who can't afford care should be helped.