Unlike most of the posters above, I am no expert on this subject (but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night). I have not heard anyone knock down the following arguments as to the WHY of health care costs soaring out of sinc with normal inflation:
1 The Fed and State government is already involved in providing health care. Like most things they touch it is inefficient, bloated and corrupt. The medical professions fees are influenced by access to these deep pockets. The bureaucratic burden placed on them is a factor also. Why would you want to give the #@%$ government the whole enchilada?
2. Carlos' point about Tort reform should not be overlooked. A huge percentage of medical costs are to pay for malpactice insurance to protect the health care provider from jury awards of zillions which are being won by glorified ambulance chasers like John Edwards. Remember, jury awards are not necessarily based on medical facts but rather the emotional persuasion by the attorneys. The silicone breast implant settlements are a perfect example.
3. The poor and indigent (including illegal emmygrunts) already receive "free" health care. The costs are absorbed by the system and passed along to, among others, the poor working stiff who can't afford health and dental care for his own family but is contributing through income, medicare, and workmans comp.,taxes. Naturally, people who fall into this category will vote for whoever promises a 'solution' even if it is a disaster like government provided health care.
By the way, pointing to the Cuban health care system as a model is a real howler. Among other things, they save a ton of money by warehousing people with incurable conditions, like HIV positive and Aids in isolated quarantine with no treatment until they die.