Don't you find it ironic that the price of a big screen TV has dropped by several hundred percent, but the cost of necessary medical treatment has continually increased beyoned the reach of more and more Americans?

That's not at all ironic.  Quite logical, in fact.  Doctors and hospitals haven't had to compete in a truly "free market", as television manufacturers have.  That's because most people who do have medical coverage don't bother to shop around for medical care the way they do for a big-screen TV.  Who cares what it costs when someone else is picking up the tab?  Dental care, eye care and chiropractic visits, on the other hand, which aren't covered by most traditional health plans, tend to be more affordable due to free market competition.

Regards,
Scott Perry