Dave wrote:

On Fri, 05 May 2006 04:46:02 GMT, "Maxprop" said:

And the
cost of absorbing the expense of hosptial and medical care for the
uninsured, impoverished masses may just be the largest percentage.

According to reported figures that cost represents between 2 and 3% of the
total. I think you've been reading too much AMA propaganda.

Some numbers for you guys:

http://www.kff.org/insurance/7031/ti2004-1-5.cfm

21% for physician/clinical services, 30% hospital care. (2004 data)

The drug companies are doing well:

http://www.kff.org/insurance/7031/ti2004-1-21.cfm

If you do a little reading in Tenet's 4th quarter financial statement
you will see that they spent some $545 million on "uncompensated care",
this from an operating revenue of $2,299 million (this is the hospital
side of their operation). I believe Tenet is a reasonable exemplar of
this type of business, these numbers would seem to support Max's
position.

Cheers
Marty