4 Shocking Facts about US Healthcare

[Agnosticsherbet]

[BlueStreak]

1. If you didn't run with the bulls, maybe you wouldn't need your hip replaced

[Agnosticsherbet]

2. If you do, fortuantely you will do it in spain for $7,000.00 and change

It appears we are being grossly overcharged. Wonder where that extra money goes?

[Thinkingabout]

3. This is very true, our health care cost more than any other country, for those who sneer

at France for having long lines, the long lines is in the USA. Health insurance in France cost $10 a month or $30 for a Cadillac policy. They do not pay insurance company executives millions of dollars, of which nothing goes for health care. If I was a doctor or other professional who spent hours training and in practice and the executives was making millions I would want that money going into my pocket.

[Dustlawyer]

4. The medical malpractice argument is straight from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

It is all B.S. You should check it out if you don't believe. In Texas they passed a terrible Tort Reform law and now it's good luck finding a lawyer willing to even take your case, especially if you are a child, homemaker, or retired and have no lost wages!

[Agnosticsherbet]

5. I agree that the malpractice argument is bullshit, but the cost is right on.

We pay way way to much. All that money goes where?

[BlueStreak]

7. That number is their ARBITRARY opinion about how much TESTING we do

It has very little to do with malpractice. Most of that testing is for two reasons:

1) Our record-keeping before the ACA for horrible -- like something from the pre-computer era.

2) PATIENTS and their families want to know as much as possible.

The ACA has made a huge difference that nobody ever talks about in terms of records. I have had both parents in heavy hospitalization situations the past 9 months, and I don't think there was a single redundant test. Each of the docs -- even from separate offices -- can see all the tests that have been run and they simply don't order up redundant tests. 2 years ago, that was not the case. Every time you saw a different specialist, they ordered up their own blood work and EKGs.

Our system, for all of its faults, is more responsive to the patients than some others. Patients who push for additional tests are rarely turned down. That accounts for some of the cost difference.