[bryan11]

You could segment them in three sets: well insured, people with catastrophic health plans, and uninsured. Many employers are switching to high deductible health plans and that deductible may be thousands of dollars, i.e. catastrophic plans.

When going to a doctor for a simple diagnosis or bloodwork can easily cost $400 to $1000, many put off doctor visits unless it's an emergency. It can easily become a choice between a doctor visit or a car repair. Preventative checkups are gone and insurance is only something one uses with an emergency room visit or major health issue.

[TuringNYC]

That's a great explanation. It also shows how short-sighted such plans us at a national macro level -- because an ounce of prevention can prevent hundreds of thousands in future future bills.

A perfect example is vitamin deficiency and the very serious effects such deficiencies can have, and how inexpensive the preventative care is.

[kube-system]

It is getting better. The ACA mandates coverage for some preventative care.

[Thorentis]

$400 for just a bloodtest at a GP? That's insane. All free in Australia, from the initial visit, to the blood taking, to the follow up.

[dragonsky]

Maybe a more accurate description of Australia is that it can be free, but you may have to wait for a dr appointment. Or you can go to one of the non bulk-billing doctors and a nice lounge to sit on whilst you wait.

Generally necessary pathology/radiology or routine blood tests are covered by medicare which is paid for by a levy of about 1% on income.

Likewise pharmaceuticals are generally fairly low cost (there are exceptions), being subsidised by the government and for low income or people with ongoing requirements can be free.

Private health insurance is available and encouraged by a decrease in your medicare levy, but a lot of people are finding that it doesn't provide any financial benefit and as we have a very good public health system, does not provide any better health outcome.

Health Insurance is not a major concern in Australia. It certainly is not tied to an employer and doesn't rate on the list of things to worry about when getting a job.

[freeone3000]

This isn't inflated, really -- Quebec doctors are allowed to charge about the same to the province (depending on several factors, but it's within 2x even for the cheapest option), so it's a reasonable approximation of the costs involved, it's just who pays for it and when.

[bluGill]

I have long been against employer provided health insurance. Obama promised if you like your insurance you can keep it. He was mostly correct (if you squint just right there are some minor changes to everyone's plan which you can count as not keeping it), but I don't like my health insurance - but to get a different plan means throwing away the large subsidy I get from my employer to take their plan.