Excerpt: Doctors at UCSF's Institute of Health Policy Studies confirmed this month that California's health-care system suffers from an acute case of clogged arteries. In a study of spending by physicians and hospitals, lead author James G. Kahn revealed that 21 percent of their costs go to billing and insurance-related expenses. What a waste -- a fifth of our state's health spending dedicated to sending bits of paper flying around to ensure that everyone gets paid what they should.  MORE >>