Good article...

Most healthcare spending is on autopilot.  Out of Saskatchewan's budget of $5.7 billion, how much is actually 'managed' with real decisions and real accountability?  A vanishingly small percentage.  Regional CEO's boast of billion dollar budgets and then have to admit they actually make decisions on 1% of it.  The rest is salary, facility maintenance and administration.  Their real job is dealing with the generally very large egos with which the system abounds.

The doctors are private contractors with a personal, financial stake in churning as many patients through the door as possible, as well as prescribing whatever drugs the pharmaceutical reps have promoted, and ordering up whatever tests will keep their patients happy with the thought that 'something' was being done.  The doctors have no responsibility for any of these costs.  They need to be salaried, and administrators need power and accountability.  

Why?  Politics and undeliverable promises.