Another Reason Why Health Care Costs Are Out of Control

God knows there are a raft of reasons why health care costs in the US are so high.  The New Yorker's Atul Gawande, though, takes a look at perhaps one of the biggest ones -- doctors lining their pockets at Medicare's expense.  "The Cost Conundrum" is a visit to McAllen, TX, one of the nations most expensive health-care market.

In 2006, Medicare spent fifteen thousand dollars per enrollee here, almost twice the national average. The income per capita is twelve thousand dollars. In other words, Medicare spends three thousand dollars more per person here than the average person earns.

It's a relatively long read, but well worth it.  The short version? Mayo Clinic way, good. McAllen, very bad.