[oceanplexian]

It's unfair, but I'm of the opinion US healthcare is much better if you have the means to pay for it.

Look at all the top surgeons and hospitals in the world for everything from neurosurgery to cancer treatment. They're all in the United States. The median level of care might be much better in Europe but they are behind when it comes to cutting edge treatments, rare diseases, and so on.

[ryan-c]

I'm an American living in the UK, and I've had to do medical tourism to the US. What I needed wasn't available outside the US at any price.

[codegeek]

Yes. American health "care" is the best. Problem is with the "administration" that for basic stuff, there is crazy price gouging and no free market competition. It is ridiculous that you have to involve insurance in every visit to a doctor AND it's tied to your employer being able to provide something.

[ryan-c]

I got a bill from a lab last year that was for about $1200, and when insurance denied it as out-of-network (it wasn't, the lab and the insurance company had some billing procedure issues) it was less than $100 somehow.

Out of stubbornness, I fought with the lab for months to bill it correctly, and eventually got them to write it off by emailing the CEO.

[codegeek]

Sums up our healthcare "administration" well. Unfortunately, I have done this a few times myself and what a colossal waste of time.