[pieceofthepuzzle]

Yes, but back then all surgical instruments were sterilized and reused, as were surgical drapes etc. There weren’t advanced CT scanners and MRI scanners. The monitoring equipment in the emergency room and the ICU was not modern digital equipment, and there were many fewer drugs available. That’s just a start. But yes, there are also dramatic changes that are due to bureaucracy and lawyers, no doubt.

[caper gal 1]

Still not buying your argument. A week in ICU and 2 neurologic surgeries would likely run close to or more than $200,000 today or more. Not enough to offset your argument. The new technologies you mention actually have reduced medical costs because they have eliminated a phrase from our lexicon, that of "exploratory surgery" which is no longer necessary.