eli5: How come health care cost so much more in America vs. other countries?

Question

I understand that insurances covers part of the cost. However, the total cost (before coverage) is still much higher in America. Why?

Is the supply chain different? Are doctors and staff paid better in America?

In: 188

Answer 1

The profit motive.

Businesses exist to make money and healthcare is a highly specialized field that the majority of people know very little about… yet must access at some point.

This leads to over-charging, over testing, over treating those with the ability to pay at every step of the way. For those who can’t, it leads to shutting them out.