Agree with much you have stated regarding the wastefulness of the system.

Too Gene, could you speak to the doctors need to CYA. Meaning, is it still necessary to test for everything under the sun so no one comes back and sues you for overlooking something or other. My understanding is that leads to mucho wasted dollars, coupled with the malpractice insurance that is needed, just in case

Without meaningful tort reform (not likely) the CYA thing is indeed a prime source of unnecessary testing and procedures. And...worst of all, it leads to stupid doctors. They don't discipline themselves to think anymore, and just order tests, under the umbrella of "well...I might get sued". Don't get me started. Many of my fellow physicians are dorkheads, and need to be spanked, then sent back to MedSchool all over. They simply seem incapable of any type of deductive reasoning. When they hear hoofbeats, it's always Zebras, never horses!