> You say that a "sprained ankle" is easy to diagnose -- but is it really? On the differential, how many other conditions manifest similarly? What complications

> You say that a "sprained ankle" is easy to diagnose -- but is it really? On the differential, how many other conditions manifest similarly? What complications can a trained doctor see, what questions do they know to ask? We're talking probabilities here. Most likely your illness is due to the most probable cause. And if it isn't, well, stuff happens. From wikipedia: In economics and in public-choice theory, rent-seeking involves seeking to increase one's share of existing wealth without creating new wealth. I believe that's what a lot of doctors do these days. After a weekend of tromping through the woods, I got a case of poison oak. I had to see a doctor and get a prescription for a steroid, because apparently it's a scheduled medication. There is a lot of overlap between a cartel and rent-seeking though. > In my interaction with the medical industry, in no case would I have been as well-served by a "lesser expert." Is that only from your diabetic condition, or other issues? I think the question I'm raising is that maybe sometimes "it'll do" is just as good "he's elite, I'm lucky to have him". > I assume you still want the lesser experts we're discussing to be regulated legally, etc No. I think you should be able to hang out your shingle without government regulation.