Since my Dad was diagnosed with colon cancer in the late 1990’s ( I can’t remember the year anymore) I have been having a colonoscopy every five years. Yesterday was the latest. My goodness, that’s an unpleasant process for a 15-minute procedure that I can’t remember.

The timing on this one was such that it seemed my “no eating” time frame got really stretched out. I was starving by the time I got to the hospital. Fortunately, there was a Starbucks inside the hospital doors so as soon as it was over I could go get a good dark and hot coffee.

It struck me, as I walked the hallways, that hospitals these days are as much about business as they are about medicine. From revenue created through outrageous parking rates to renting out space to fast food outlets, hospital leadership is about creating additional sources of revenue. Left to rely on government transfers, they would still be using equipment from the 1960’s. Watch the ads for hospital lotteries or the mailbox for a request to donate and you will come to the same conclusion.

That being said, we do have a great system and when you need care the system stretches to provide what we need. If you have any doubt we have a great system look south of the border to the war over Obamacare. Yes, I will stay on this side of the border. A bit cooler in winter perhaps but still a country of care for those who need medical intervention.