our deficit debate's 'sick secret' is killing us, literally

[FarCenter]

4. High cost MRIs will soon be a thing of the past

The United States is second only to technology-crazed Japan in the prevalence of high-cost (and high profit) MRI and CT devices for medical imaging, both in hospitals and in free-standing facilities. Many American facilities were financed by physicians who send their patients there, which poses a significant conflict of interest and which both public and private insurers have been attempting to limit. Many others are owned by sales-driven chains. Unsurprisingly, studies suggest there is significant overuse of this equipment in the United States.

MRIs depend on superconducting magnets cooled by liquid helium.

The US Govt is finishing the sale of its Cold War helium supplies. When these run out, MRIs will either be very expensive or unavailable.