[Deschodt]

Interesting topic... I have also received care in European countries for many years for "free", and been shocked by the higher costs in the US (10x easy, even dentistry is at least 3 or 4 times costlier), but then again most people don't realize how heavily subsidized medical care is "over there"... And how much more heavily taxed you are for the privilege. Personally I think it is worth it, but not all agree (people in the US are terrified of "socialized medicine" - not sure why , it's been wonderful to me)...

There's got to be a middleground somewhere... but congress is yet to find it ;-)

I have a friend who's an obstetrician/surgeon, whatever, his malpractice insurance premiums alone would pay *my salary* !!! I imagine if those could be brought in line, as well as other frivolous premiums for hospitals, we'd be onto something, assuming savings are passed on...

Then I wonder how *Real* that cost is... I'm making up numbers now, but I think the hospital charges $15000 but in this case will only recover say $2000 from your insurance company, $350 from you, and that's all she wrote. Not sure how real those numbers are...

Last question in my mind, why are insurance companies not all not-for-profit ? a company that wants to make money cannot have your best interests at heart...I'm cool with that for most ventures, but this is healthcare.. people's lives... Curious...