Clanad, the practice of doing extra tests just to cover yourself from malpractice is widespread in the NHS as well - no one wants to be sued, so I suspect that's not the reason for extra costs. You may well have higher administrative charges.
I don't wish to knock American healthcare, which has some first rate services and a history of excellent innovation with rigorous evaluation, but from this side of the pond it seems somewhat inequitable.
Sqad - we've had this discussion before..
http://www.theanswerb...2.html#answer-5790863
... the results especially for breast cancer are now on a par with those in France.
On a cold day like today, however I could be persuaded to go to live in sunnier climes!