In the past year

[Total_Blender]

If you really think that, you really need to do some research into it. My quick bit of research says the biggest issues are defensive medicine, patients trying to get the newest and most expensive procedures even if other tests are just as good, although not always as pleasant, and medicare/medicaid underpayments. .

Theres also the added burden of people who use the emergency room like its a regular Dr's clinic because they have nowhere else to go. There would be significant savings and reductions in wait time if those people could just go to a regular clinic.

[BanginJimmy]

That is another factor, but it isn't one of the top factors. Defensive medicine alone costs hundreds of billions a year and the only reason many of the tests and procedures are done is to shield docs from a malpractice suit and the drasticly rising rates for malpractice insurance that go with them.