Medicine Is Not a Consumer Good

April 25, 2011

Conservatives frequently argue that the solution to our health care problems lies in consumer power. If only we could free the system of government interference, consumers would shop more aggressively for medical care, forcing the providers, producers, and third-party payers of such care to compete for the business. The result would be a vibrant market with lower prices, higher quality, or some combination of the two. (The New Republic)