re: Everyone should request an itemized hospital bill, it is really interesting

The issue goes all the way to the suppliers in the US. The US healthcare organizations are being charged nearly double in some instances to use the same products and drugs that are being used in markets overseas. However, because there is not heavily subsidized care here and commercial insurances will may out “a premium,” we foot a lot of the bill here. What is subsidized here continues to be expanded and we just “print” money to fund it.

Want a recent example of the silliness, just go look at the amount various countries were charged to get the COVID vaccines when those rolled out. I’m sure this will go down the vaccine hole now, but the point is, the supply chain determines a lot of the cost. If US providers are being charged twice what international providers are, the costs are going to be much higher in the US. It’s basic economics.

Beyond that, you have inflationary pressure on everything. That includes highly trained provider salaries that rise just like everyone else during these times. Not to the same % level, but they do rise. Those people have to be compensated. These are also consequences of paying someone $15-$20/hr to make cheeseburgers.

It’s the entire economic system, not just the healthcare. The forces outside the market impact healthcare just like any other industry.