Pay More, Get Less

I wish I were more knowledgeable about the economics of medicine. What I do know is that it's a disgrace that the US, in contrast to virtually every other industrial democracy on the planet, does not have a national health care system. This is such an obvious public good that it is mind-boggling to think of all the interest groups that have thwarted its establishment. Over the years I've seen numerous studies showing that Americans pay more for health care but get much less for their money than those in countries with socialized medicine, and I wish I could pull together a list of interesting links, but I haven't kept track. It is worth noting on its own, nevertheless, a recent study showing that people in the UK are healthier than Americans which, while not directed firmly on the issue, does suggest, once again, that a system driven by big insurance interests and lawyers is not competitive with the public provision of health care.