Inflation!

People complain a lot about the high cost of health care, and in particular the high cost of drugs. I agree that both are expensive.
In order to deliver health care to you, I am obligated to get an annual license, which runs about $400 per year, and pay about $13,000 per year for malpractice coverage. It's so affordable because : 1) Idon't deliver babies and 2) I have never been sued.
But there is a third item needed: a DEA license. This is from the DEA, and allows me to write prescriptions for narcotics. I don't think there are many new narcotics on the market since I started practice in 1990, if any: just a few reformulations and strength changes.
So every 3 years you have to check off the reapplication questions. Were you convicted of a felony? Were you involved in ilegal drug activities? Has your license to practice been revoked or sanctioned? No, no and no. Same name, same address, same license #, same categories of drugs I have been prescribing since 1990. The ONLY thing that has changed is the cost of the 3 year license.
In 1990, I paid $60. Today, I filled out the form online and printed my own certificate (both should reduce the DEA costs, right). Cost to renew my DEA today: $551. Now THAT, my friends, is inflation! And to think that Medicare thought we deserved a 10% pay reduction for 2008. Hmmmmmmm.