Originally Posted by CTAClone 
Back to health care, why can't an individual negotiate their price of health care? Why can't I get the discounted rate insurance companies do?
You are certainly free to negotiate your own health care costs. I know a few folks who do it. They carry catastrophic health insurance only, and pay cash for all the minor things. They ask for cash discounts and have found that many doctors are happy to give a cash discount because they can avoid dealing with insurance company red tape.
I do it with my vision care. My company's vision plan only covers the monster chains like Lens Crafters (which I hate), so I go to a local eye doctor and he gives me a discount for paying cash.
