The 'Fix-It' Myth

How did I miss this superb column by Robert Samuelson yesterday? Someone should call the Pulitzer board -- his article is one of the best I've read on health care in a long time. Here's the money quote: bq. Americans generally want their health care system to do three things: (1) provide needed care to all people, regardless of income; (2) maintain our freedom to pick doctors and their freedom to recommend the best care for us; and (3) control costs. The trouble is that these laudable goals aren't compatible. We can have any two of them, but not all three. Everyone can get care with complete choice -- but costs will explode, because patients and doctors have no reason to control them. We can control costs but only by denying care or limiting choices. Exactly! It's time to tune out the politicians who bark and bark about the idea of "fixing" health care once and for all. It ain't happenin'.