Although some view healthcare from an economic perspective as being no different from other products or services, others believe it has many characteristics that encourage government intervention or regulation:

1) The provision of critical healthcare treatment is often regarded as a basic human right, regardless of whether the individual has the means to pay—some treatments cost more than a typical family's life savings.

2) Healthcare professionals are bound by law and their oaths of service to provide lifesaving treatment.

3) Healthcare professionals are monopolists in various respects: surgery, gynecology, prescribing, etc.

4) Consumers often lack the information or understanding to be able to choose rationally between competing healthcare providers when they need treatment, particularly in the event of the need of urgent or emergency treatment.

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