And a paper about this issue: http://econ-www.mit.edu/files/788 . Interestingly, this paper concludes that third-party payer systems in general had a large effect on medical inflation:

As to my ‘claims’ regarding capitalism, you are on to a much greater issue about which numerous tomes have been written. It would be impossible to convince you of the veracity of my position in such a short amount of time and space. If you are not already of that position, it would (and should) take exposure to lots of different facts and writings to convince you. We can’t do that here, and I am probably not up to the task in any case.

If you truly are interested in different perspectives on this, then I refer you to The Von Mises Institute (http://mises.org/), to the very accessible book “Free To Choose” by Milton Friedman, or George Reisman’s Blog and works (http://www.georgereisman.com/blog/).

Totally aside from the fact that those costs take into account the standard quality of life in the country, and the salary ranges common there, as well as occupational safety and health standards etc.etc. and as such, aren’t transferable to the US or any other country, this is a classic example of selection bias. Comparing a subpopulation willing and able to pay extra for its health with the general public is bogus and ignores issues of compliance, personal standards of living of the patient etc. etc. ad nauseam.

“But even for this, I believe costs would drop if patients bear more of the shared expense and pay the doctor directly, then submit the claim to the insurer themselves as the customer.”

And if the insurer then tell them “no thanks”, they’ll be just as financially ruined as they are now.

Its funny that you should mention lines for tooth extractions, since the British public health system is having such a time of it (read: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7189448.stm). Notice there aren’t such dramatic stories in this country!

However, yearly check ups, flu, strep throat, maintenance of an otherwise stable chronic disease, these things are the majority of our health care dollars, and are the equivalent of getting an oil change in an aging car. They aren’t unexpected. They don’t require insurance. It’s just part and parcel of growing old.

Keep in mind a beggar is morally superior to a robber – which is what government health care amounts to. Given the choice, which will you choose?

I don’t want your charity. Iwant affordable health care. Your solution is for me to beg for help.

And isn’t that what we have now. Those that can pay, pay more so doctors and hospitals can provide charity care.

So perhaps the solution is to reduce doctor’s salaries so they have to rely on charity to live. Doesn’t that make you feel good?

I don’t have ‘fictional black and white choices’ – but I am thinking using principles and concepts. Anyone who is against ‘black and white’ choices has an antitheses to thinking with such principles. But, it is essential to think using these abstract devices in order to figure out the ‘in principle’ truths. Once you have figured out how the world works, in principle (the right and the wrong of it, the black and the white of it) you then know what you are aiming for. It may be true, that you have little chance of implementing your full views in a particular political climate – but it REALLY HELPS to know where you want to go and why. Then, for any particular proposal, you know why you are supporting it and why.

If you don’t think at such a fundamental level, you may find yourself never thinking of real solutions to real health care problems, because they are not in vogue, or are too ‘black and white’. Indeed, you may find you have boxed your thinking in so much that you cannot even see solutions proffered to you – they just won’t seem ‘persuasive’ to you.

I just read a “New Yorker” article about mental health. It’s nice to know that shyness is now a mental health disorder. Nice to see all those experts making a profit.

Many mental health providers have gone cash only. Their fees are more than those paid by insurance companies. Isn’t the theory that prices will drop when doctors accept cash?

My insurance had limited mental health coverage. During a period of severe depression, my benefits ran out. Unable to afford treatment, I stopped treatment and dealt with my feelings of suicide on an internet support group. I also bought a few books. Perhaps in my case, the market worked. I found an affordable treatment.

This year, insurance regulations make mental health benefits on par with physcial illness. I assume, Dr. Allen, that you are against such regulation.