Why Does Our Health Care Cost So Much?

You've probably already heard that the U.S. spends more per capita on health care than any other developed nation.


(Source: "Why Does U.S. Health Care Cost So Much?", Uwe Reinhardt, New York Times, 14 Dec 2008)

But by any objective measure of performance -- infant mortality, disease morbidity, just about anything except for the coddle-care of the superrich -- we lag countries much poorer than us.

What gives?

Here's a huge chunk of the reason: We're blowing it on insurance companies. You know, the ones with the executive spa retreats in the middle of the economic meltdown, the ones that spent $28 mil just on the current congressional incumbents in 2008 alone.



It's pretty clear that single-payer is no bleeding heart liberal spend-o-rama; it's simply the best way to get Americans covered, rein in the administrative costs, and start making Americans healthier.

After all, the wealthy can continue to pay out of pocket for their cradle to grave service; why should they begrudge the rest of us the level of care available even in much poorer nations? (Hint: They've got megabucks invested in the insurance companies too.)

See the Daily Kos for more.