Legislative blunders and outright greed have brought us to a situation in which the interests of healthcare consumers are pitted against those of the same people who, in the past, had been their only effective advocates.

The primary goal of medical organizations has shifted from promoting practice excellence to obtaining the most lucrative fee schedules and the largest possible share of the government and private healthcare budgets for their members.

The patient is essentially on his own on the playing field, in a complex game in which he/ she has no leverage and virtually no knowledge...