http://www.governing.com/authors/rss/rss/?a=87483707 Arthur Garson Jr. and Carolyn L. Engelhard are the writers of GOVERNING's Health Myths column. They are co-authors of "Health Care Half-Truths: Too Many Myths, Not Enough Reality." http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/A-Critical-Difference.html You hear it all the time: "Our medical care is terrible and we get nothing for all we spend." This is a good example of... http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/You-Get-What-You.html In the United States, we know what our medical care costs are, but we haven't a clue what our real health care expenditures are. And... http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/Where-Less-Is-More.html One-half? Where did that number come from? It came from a landmark study in 2002 that reported that in some regions Medicare pays more than twice... http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/The-Economics-of-Dying.html That myth may be the conventional wisdom, but only 10 percent of our medical-care dollars are spent in the last year of life. And, although spending... http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/The-Price-of-Doing.html Americans should be able to count on receiving quality health care when needed, even if it doesn't save money. The important thing is making sure... http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/The-Art-of-Science.html Less than 15 percent of medical decisions are based on "appropriate evidence." Now that we have your attention, let us explain why this is so. Up... http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/Measuring-Quality-Good-Better.html Sit around a dinner table and ask, "What makes a good doctor?" You might think that this would ruin the party, but it doesn't. Try... http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/Are-We-There-Yet.html But we are different. We do not have a Canadian health care system because we are not Canadian. The Canadian credo is "peace, order, and... http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/An-Apple-a-Day.html If you're among those who think prevention saves money, and will help reduce the overall cost of medical care, you're not alone. But while an... http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/You-Cant-Have-It.html The "R" word -- "rationing." No one wants to talk about it because it is the "third rail" of American health care politics: Touch it... http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/Does-the-Patient-Know.html We consumers buy all kinds of things. We read Consumer Reports, read the instructions about how to use things, and we make choices. In medical... http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/Is-There-a-Doctor.html Can you get an appointment with your doctor tomorrow morning? How about in a month? Do you think this is because doctors like to make... http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/A-National-Health-Care.html We have just selected a president who is concerned about health care in this country. But the economic downturn has made President-elect Barack Obama's challenge...