[nameunimportant]

WHen I stopped living in the USA, I realized that there is only one reason the USA is behind the rest of the developed world when it comes to healthcare, a social safety net and education. The USA likes it that way.

The American culture is one of rugged individualist pioneering cowboys who won't be told what to do, even if you're warning them that if they take another step they'll fall off a cliff.

[christophilus]

I don’t think it’s the rugged individualism that’s at fault, so much as an emergent, insane incentive structure that has grown out of control. The confluence of big insurance, big hospitals/ practices, and regulatory capture have given us a completely warped system.

[adnmcq999]

In just what century did you live here?

[kcplate]

Definitely a common mindset, particularly of gen x and generations prior. I know I have it. Wouldn’t surprise me a bit if someone born and raised outside the us came away with this impression after living here for a while.

Honestly when I read the headline my first thought was “six stitches? Crazy glue is cheaper…”

[throwaway0a5e]

>Honestly when I read the headline my first thought was “six stitches? Crazy glue is cheaper”

Unless you live across the street from the hospital it's just less hassle to do it that way. Any injury not worthy of an ambulance can be cleaned, glued and taped in the time it would take to sit in the waiting room while they serve all the people who are dying faster.

[nameunimportant]

1979 - 2015, I finally escaped and haven't returned since, happily.