The connection between litigation costs and health care costs is not a cut-and-dried one. In my research, I've found as many credible documents showing that it's a small portion as I have showing that it's a large one. It's a complex question.

An easy question: If the government's paying for medical care, who do you sue for malpractice, and who picks up the penalty payments?

I've discussed this issue in other venues, and it's not an easy one. Lord knows the idea of never having to worry about a medical bill again is appealing, not just to the poor, but to beleaguered small businesses and larger corporations buckling under benefits costs.

But somebody is going to have to pay, and divorcing prices from the consumers in any area always ends up badly. Price controls and rationing would be inevitable, and I don't know how that will turn out.