>Actually we do have something similar. They are called 'brokers.' However, the coverages available to small businesses are sometimes cost prohibitive in today's competitive business economy. Even Walmart no longer offers medical coverage to employees until they have worked for them for 6 months and there is a 2 year waiting period for part-time employees. Cutting costs, cutting costs...in order to compete seems to be the standard in the U.S. today.
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>I would not necessarily say that the American medical system is far from a free market system. In fact, anyone can get medical coverages and medical care if they desire it. It is available from a variety of sources. The problem is in afording it. While capitalism seems to spur competition and provide more products to society, in the medical care arena, it certainly spurs research and development but not affordable care.
Edward Griffin has done some great work on "the politics of cancer therapy".
He is an anarchist and has some interesting insights into why the American Medical system is the way it is.
http://home.mindspring.com/~wdtoney/schedule.htmlhttp://www.familyguardian.tzo.com/CDs/IRSCD/Multimedia/_Directory.htmcheck out 'griffin' in these links if you are so inclined.
In the U.S. it seems that everyone is paying for this research and development via the rising medical coverage costs. In that area, Canada surpasses the U.S. by far...
basically when the US senate 'cleaned up' the american medical system in the early 20th century they were manipulated into producing 'antiquackering' laws making it illegal to practice drugless medicine. The result, by 1975 the average physician new less about basic nutrition than his/her spouse. And they were fantastic at perscribing drug cocktails solutions to every ailment. With it illegal to practice drug medicine every american was dependent on the drug cartel (and between 1930 and 1975 it was a cartel) for their health maintenance. Nice way to jack up the prices. Edward Griffin explains these developments in far greater detail.
Canada has its problems as well. My client's daughter has been 'living with' leukemia for fifteen years without receiving chemotherapy. The doctor treating her is not allowed to state publicly his treatment 'modality'. If it is not a drug it is not a 'treatment'.
