[LarryLied]

It may be hard to believe, but back in the 1950s health insurance cost just a few dollars a month for most people – and it was available to virtually everyone, including people with pre-existing conditions.

Not difficult to believe at all. In 1930, heath care was even cheaper . In 1900, it was cheaper still. In 1800, it was hardly a consideration.

Government intervention is a huge part of the problem of couse but blaming the cost solely on that is a simplistic analysis.

In 1950, you could not buy a pacemaker, a hip replacement, a CAT scan, Lipitor or a bovine heart valve replacement no matter how much money you had.

Government should get out of the market but that will never make the care some people may need affordable. We're going to have to accept that there can be no equality in health care anymore than there can in transportation. Some can buy a modest car, others a Lexus,others a Ferrari and some travel on private jets.

[Alan Chapman]

Government intervention is a huge part of the problem of couse but blaming the cost solely on that is a simplistic analysis.

Government meddling is the primary culprit.

In 1950, you could not buy a pacemaker, a hip replacement, a CAT scan, Lipitor or a bovine heart valve replacement no matter how much money you had.

8 years ago a 1GB hard drive cost $1000. Yesterday I bought an 80GB hard drive for $100. The computer industry is almost entirely unregulated. Your implication that advancements in technology account for increases in cost is misleading and incorrect.

Government should get out of the market but that will never make the care some people may need affordable.

That is where private charity comes in.