[enteeentee]

Sorry missing something here as a non Americana person. Why should someone have to understand and negotiate co-pay, or having to chose more efficient pharmacies and reimbursement rates when they just want the pharma that like keeps them alive?

[kcplate]

My pharmacy is at a grocery store. They deeply discount certain common generic meds because they want you to shop there for groceries.

It’s less about negotiating a copay, but rather letting market forces work to people’s advantages

[sabbaticaldev]

those market forces made the US have the most expensive meds

[kcplate]

I know that is the talking point, but that is not my lived experience. I have been on 5 regular meds for chronic conditions and I currently pay less than $25/mo with my insurance plan. Twelve years ago I did a 18 month stint doing freelance work with no health insurance and paid about the same.

[sabbaticaldev]

Those same 5 meds are probably free in most EU countries and even some south american ones. It could also be given for free in the US at a fraction of the total spending but that would impact the GDP too much.

From zero to 25usd/month is a huge difference

[kcplate]

> From zero to 25usd/month is a huge difference

I know how much my EU colleagues make in income and how much they pay in taxes to save that huge difference of $0 to $25.

I’d much rather have my salary, insurance bill, and $25 Rx co-pay all day long.

[mathgeek]

Because if you don’t do such things, you spend more than you have to.

[enteeentee]

Point being you shouldn’t have to

[mathgeek]

Ah my bad, thought you were asking why folks do it in the US.