Healthy competition? Critics say consumers lose as providers build, bicker

As president of the Madison-based health insurance buying pool The Alliance, Cheryl DeMars spends her days haggling with providers over the cost of services. It's a tough job, given that health care spending continues to skyrocket. So when DeMars sees another shiny new medical clinic opening, in her mind it means at least one thing: prices are going up again. (CAPITAL TIMES, 9/19)