Martin wrote:

> I believe the problem is that the cost of terminal illness and injury has
> gone through the roof, not to mention drugs.

I don't think it's the cost of the illness that has gone through the roof.
To me, it seems to be more our expectation of treatments, together with the
cost of the expected treatments. 

> Maybe the answer is to get everyone to live in a climate controlled
> bubble where they can't take risks, smoke, drink alcohol, do drugs, or
> get injured.

This is a complicated matter. People should be allowed to do harm to
themselves, but they shouldn't necessarily expect others to pick up the tab
if they do so. In Germany, mountain rescue has traditionally been a
volunteer job (assisted by some pros from police and the military where
more heavy equipment was needed, like helicopters). This went well for
quite a long time and has a certain tradition. (Search for "Bergwacht" if
you want more info. It's a subdivision of the German Red Cross.) 

But since the advent of mobile phones with signal in many mountain ranges
(the Alps are much smaller, in terms of extension, than the Rockies), this
doesn't work anymore. People just get themselves into trouble without the
proper precautions (they may even make fun of the few who do the same
one-day tour that they do with a backpack full of emergency equipment),
then call for help -- and expect that the volunteers go out and help,
sometimes putting their life on the line. And of course that any hospital
cost is taken care of, too. 

This is a special case, but the attitude is typical. And it shows rather
clearly (maybe too clearly) why health care costs are going through the
roof.

Gerhard

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