The recession has had an impact on all of this and no one knows when everything will go back to the way it was. The prices of medical insurance, procedures and even simple walk-ins are skyrocketing, and fewer and fewer people are able to afford them. India and China have had significant growth in their economy where prices have been much cheaper than America's; even for the same quality and product or even procedure. Both of my grandfathers needed knee replacement surgery while residing in Texas and the doctors slammed them with a quote of $75,000 for one knee; In India they were quoted at $75,000 for two knees. The process was the same, the materials were the same and the equipment was also the same; the doctor who performed the surgery studied in the US at Harvard Medical School and returned to India to help people who can afford the surgeries rather than harm them even more in America with the large costs. So why do doctors in America charge like that?