Medical Advances come with costs

We probably seldom realize just how relatively recent many of our technological and medical advancements have come about. Kids play with games today that have more capability than room-sized computers did just a few decades ago. The original wonder drug --aspirin-- was developed in the 1890's. The dread disease small pox is virtually eradicated and the last time theUnited States required vaccination was 1972. When I was a kid in school I looked forward to summer with great enjoyment, but that joy was covered with the black cloud of polio, which hit leaving death and paralysis in its wake. The Salk vaccine in 1955 and Sabin oral vaccine in general use by 1967 have lifted that cloud. Organ transplants, replacement of knees and hips and other parts are common as are tools such as mri and cat scans. All of these contributions to well-being and longer life are welcome but they come with a cost. While the Obama health plan has too much wrong with it, something needs to be done to improve quality and lower costs, if at all possible.