“Just keep cash on hand for doctor visits and this thing will probably sort itself out.”
At age 59 the only time I’ve spent more than $6k on medical in one year was for three operations over a lifetime. But the reason they were that expensive is because I did have insurance. In 2000 I spent 20 minutes in surgery, an hour in recover and a total of four hours in the hospital for a routine hernia repair. The cost without insurance was $16k. But because I had a catastrophic care policy there was a “courtesy” reduction of $4k that I would not personally have qualified for. The insurance ultimately paid $8k of which I paid $2,400. In my opinion the entire thing was worth the $2,400. It’s only the laws and insurance that ran the costs up out of sight.
I had two foot surgeries. I had the choice of an outpatient clinic or the hospital. The doctor said the difference was an additional “ten to twenty” thousand to my insurance in the hospital. “But you’re completely covered so you shouldn’t care.” I chose the outpatient surgery. It was infinitely better than being in the hospital.
The problems have nothing to do with people not having insurance. They have to do with some people having it and divorcing payment from the person being served.
“The problems have nothing to do with people not having insurance. They have to do with some people having it and divorcing payment from the person being served.”
You’re 1000% correct. If getting health care were like any other market it would not cost near as much as it does today. If it can be forced largely back to a cash-based market we will all benefit. Obamacare may well do that as an unintended consequence.