I take offense at the authors use of the term 'health-care system'. We do not have a health care system in this country. We have a ongoing, legalized hostage racket. When you are sick, you will do anything to get better, and the system knows it. You will sign onto any agreement to keep yourself alive, even if the system ends up taking your home and your children's educations. 

Services rendered / hours spent / input costs have no anchor in reality for this 'system'. This is true across the board for doctors / hospitals / pharma companies / HMO's / insurance companies who are all engaged in routine, systematic swindling. 

It is plain as day and everyone has experienced it. The $700 strep diagnosis / penicillin shot, the $300 emergency room aspirin, the $6000 broken arm, the impossible to decipher 'explanation of benefits' and attached nickle-and-dime co-pays. All of it is rip off and needs to go.