It amuses me that the US is considered the land of free markets and competition. The complete opposite is the case for hospitals. For example if you wanted to

It amuses me that the US is considered the land of free markets and competition. The complete opposite is the case for hospitals. For example if you wanted to open a new hospital that is more cost effective you most probably couldn't. You would have to get a certificate of need which essentially ensures that the existing hospitals remain profitable. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certificate_of_need http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certificate_of_need Due to most health care being employer based or provided by the government (medicare/caid, military, veterans etc) there isn't really any individual choice, and you can't really take your business elsewhere.