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I remain convinced that insurance as it presently works is a bad thing. People see it as “something for nothing”, and the medical industry sees it as a source of endless money.

If people had to pay their own way, the price of medical care would drop dramatically, probably with little or no loss of quality. That would also give people a lot more incentive to live healthier, fitter lives.

I think avoiding processed food, then eating lots of wild game along with plants you raise yourself is a real plan for a healthier life. You’ll at least get some exercise and fresh air hunting the game and growing the plants. ;-)

If people had to pay their own way the cost of medical care would drop dramatically--because the amount of medical care received would drop dramatically. Overall health and lifespan would drop as well, as all the chronic conditions that run up costs would be generally neglected until way too late.

There is a reason why the institution of health insurance corresponds to a large improvement in the nation's health. Ask any physician who actually practices medicine how hard it is now, with insurance, to get patients to comply with diabetes regimens, just for example. Or treatment of high blood pressure.

Then try to imagine how patients will respond to the idea of taking a medication which has no noticeable effect, for a disease they cannot feel, and pay serious money for it.