First, the blog article discusses how the cost of medical care increased by only 4.4% during 2008. That still widely outpaces inflation, which was negative in 2008. So, in a year where all other expenses went down, the cost of medical care went up.

Second, the idea that 1,000 walk in clinics could have any effect on medical costs is pure fantasy. First, the American public rightly wants to see “their” doctor. Without having a doctor who knows you and your medical issues, you can’t have the most important element of quality of care, continuity of care. Walk in clinics can’t provide continuity of care. There are some 800,000 physicians in the US. Even if walk in clinics charged zero, their effect on medical care costs would be immeasurably small.

Third, there have been good studies showing the number of prescriptions filled has gone down during the recent and continuing recession. That’s not because the population has gone down or that we have become healthier, it’s because people can no longer afford needed medication.

The cost curve has been bent by the absolute burden which health costs represent for American families and businesses.

So both acceleration and deceleration in rate of growth are cause for alarm? I wish they’d make up their minds.