We need more articles like this

The New York Times offers an article entitled "How to Plan For and Handle the Cost of Braces" today. Among the helpful information: Ask about payment plans, look for a college or university with an orthodontics program that offers care from trainee orthodontists at a reduced cost, seek out charities that connect low-income patients with orthodontists willing to donate their work.

You'd never see an article like this about how to plan for and handle the cost of medical care, because we don't have anything like a free market in medical care, whereas orthodontics, considered "cosmetic" and "unnecessary," remains relatively free of government interference.

Granted, the need for medical care can't always be anticipated, as the need for braces usually is. This is where insurance -- real insurance, not prepaid medical care -- would come in, in a free market. But, in a free market, individuals could plan and pay for routine, and even nonroutine but noncatastrophic, medical expenses. We'd have more money to do so, because we'd be pouring less money down the toilet for taxes and crazy-expensive health "insurance" premiums. We'd be asking for advice just like the kind the NYT is giving for braces -- and getting it.