Maybe one of the reasons is that years ago in the good old days , doctors would and could actually prescribe inexpensive and proven narcotics for pain, stress and a load of other medical problems. Now doctors (and I am NOT picking on you beleive it or not) are to concerned with CYA and write drugs that they knwo will not work as well but they are the newer, more expensive ones that are supposed to have less addictive side effects but still be as effective. One drug comes to mind is Imitrex. I started taking it in the late 90's because some doctors would only prescribe this $3.00 a pill drug ( that is what it cost where I live I think-but I do know it was very expensive and still is) instead of cheap, effective pain releivers like hydro which cost about 25 cents a bill or less.

Thee are other reasons like a big jump in some salaries ( I won't mention any by name because I don't want to start a flame war ). All the new fancy equipemtn contributes to the increased cost and of course supply and demand may be the biggest factor.

Just a few thoughts.