America the Outlier

Americans’ hefty medical bills would be unthinkable for people in similarly wealthy countries.

In the US, deductibles on job-based health insurance plans have tripled in the last 10 years, straining budgets to the point that 1/2 of Americans delayed medical care last year, according to a survey.

Meanwhile, a trip to the doctor in France typically costs about $1.12. An overnight stay in a German hospital? ~$11.

The Quote: “The U.S. likes to see itself on par with other high-income countries,” said Jonathan Cylus of the WHO and European Observatory. “The truth is, it’s a real outlier.”

Los Angeles Times