I went to the Emergency Room on Saturday. I thought I had a nasty bug bite, but it turned out to be an infected follicle. Remember, I live in one of the most expensive places in the US if not the world.
The competent staff checked me in. I waited for about 10 minutes. Was seen by a highly trained registered nurse for ~5 minutes. Waited another ~10 minutes, then was seen by one of the most highly skilled professionals in our society. He spent ~10 minutes with me discussing options and writing a prescription. I have very inexpensive insurance ($50/month) with a 50% copay: it cost me $100 and my insurance $100. I immediately went to the pharmacy and bought medicine that is the result of thousands, maybe millions, of hours of R&D and was again counselled by a highly skilled pharmacist, that cost me $20.
Are you F'ing kidding me? You can't have a nice night in the Bay Area for $120. I went on a date a few weeks ago at a very modest Italian restaurant and paid over $120. I recently bought three work shirts for ~$120. I had to register my car and get a smog check recently: $120.
If your mechanic fixes your car, pay him. If your gardener mows your lawn, pay him. If your lawyer wins your case, pay him. If your doctor makes you well again, pay him. If you teacher teaches your kids ... let the government pay him? I do NOT want the government involved in health care, 'cause their going to make things WORSE, not better, as Schiff explains via government meddling in education.
UPDATE
Just got the final bill from the hospital: $355 with $85 copay. Not the deal I described, but I believe that if I (could have?) had shopped around like a good consumer I could have received similar service for the amount originally described.
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