One commentator, I think it was John Stossel, made the point on elective surgeries being enormously cheap based on market forces. LASIK vision correction is highly sought, but cheap and getting cheaper in such an active market.
I can’t imagine any other procedure being different.
I saw that video on youtube a couple of years ago. It was broadcast before obama was elected. I remember the part about the whole foods employee shopping around for a physical and discovering not only an amazing disparity in pricing, but how many places could not tell her how much it would cost.
That is a serious problem.
There are many doctors now publishing price lists for services. This will be very useful after obamacare completely collapses, which is what will happen if the repubs sit on their thumbs (which may be the plan).
“I can’t imagine any other procedure being different.”
Agreed.
A little anecdote - I couldn’t believe it when after our youngest was born I saw the itemized expense list: ~$10k total!
Wow - this for a normal hospital delivery - attended only by a mid-wife. The baby was delivered, and my wife went home the next day.
$10,000! - I’m guessing some enterprising group could offer a “groupon” for 1/4 or even 1/10 of that cost (with the stipulation being that “complications” incur additional fees).
fwiw - I often use your LASIK example, as it perfectly illustrates how market forces can control cost.