[effbott]

Only in America would somebody think twice about seeing doctor after being struck by lightning.

[sneak]

There's a whole lot of hyperbole here. There are lots of places that this holds true.

[javert]

Yes, but we should be completely ashamed that our medical system is so poor in every way. I mean, who are we comparing to, Zimbabwe?

I personally am in favor of copying the (excellent and very effective) veterinary model for our human medical care, not continuing to copy the model that was used for governing the Soviet Union.

[brightsize]

Right, like when the patient gets really sick, or care uncomfortably expensive, he/she gets the Magic Needle.

[TillE]

It's only a very small exaggeration if we consider the context of HN, which almost always addresses middle-class people in developed nations.

[effbott]

Yeah, it was really meant as more of a dark joke than a serious point. But it does make you wonder what people consider "serious enough" to warrant a trip to the hospital, given that medical costs are so high.

[ricardobeat]

For example? I can't think of anyone other place where needing medical assistance is the opposite of winning the lottery.

[Florin_Andrei]

> There are lots of places that this holds true.

Yes. See: banana republics.