[jogger08152]

Prices wouldn't be comparable today I think. Figure a doctor needs to make 250-350k per year minimum (salary + malpractice insurance + facilities + paying off medical school).

If he works 2000 hours a year and spends 5 hours per year per patient (some will be less, but some, old ones and sickly ones, will require more time, thus bringing up the average), he can treat about 400 patients per year, so each would need to pay 6-700 bucks per year (minimum) just for their internist. Add in drugs, ER visits, hospitalization and specialists, and costs will be roughly in the neighborhood of where they are now, I'd think. If the author thinks the price would be significantly less, I'd like to see his numbers.