so what's the problem with our healthcare?

[Honeycombe8]

11. You are a fortunate son.

I just used the term for funsies, but seriously, you are fortunate. You have employer provided insurance, and it sounds like it's good. Millions don't. Either they have not so good individual policies, or not so good employer provided insurance, or nothing because they aren't poor enough for Medicaid, or they have Medicaid. Medicaid provides SOME care, but very little, and not very good (I had a relative on Medicaid). Medicaid in a lot of instances is minimal care. Still, it's care, if you can find a provider who takes Medicaid.

I have employer provided insurance, too, although I have to pay toward the premium. How much would I have to pay after 8 days in ICU? I have a deductible ($1k I think), then I pay 10% or 20% of covered expenses (for in network), then 100% of noncovered expenses (and there are always noncovered expenses). I have an annual out of pocket expense cap...I think it's $5k. I expect that's what I would end up having to pay for that stay (actually, I have to pay more, and then I get reimbursed from my company to get my out of pocket cap down to $5k).