That said, even single-payer systems as the ones in Western Europe can have this exact same problem. Like when Region Stockholm / Stockholm County (Responsible

That said, even single-payer systems as the ones in Western Europe can have this exact same problem. Like when Region Stockholm / Stockholm County (Responsible for Health Care and Public Transport) in Sweden bought supplies like support socks for 6000 SEK/pair (~645 USD) [1]. I'm guessing - but I do not think it's a good thing when people who make the purchasing and oversight of things are far away from the actual practitioners. It leaves a lot of room for different kinds of shenanigans, fraud and sub-optimal choices. I think that applies regardless if you're for Private or Public health care. [1] http://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/stockholm/landstinget-kopte-strumpor-for-6-000-kronor http://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/stockholm/landstinget-kopte...