@beecycling @MikeDunnAuthor probably worth adding that the average manufacturer cost of insulin in the USA is 13 times the cost (presumably the price to our NHS) in the UK. ($98.70 vs $7.52 per vial).

"A landmark study published by the RAND Corporation in 2020 analyzed the average price of several different forms of insulin (human, analog, rapid, rapid-intermediate, short, short-intermediate, intermediate, and long-acting) in 33 countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which includes most of the world's developed countries and high-income countries. The study revealed that the manufacturer price for any given type of insulin averaged five to ten times higher in the U.S. ($98.70 USD) than in all other OECD countries ($8.81 on average). Even when using net prices, which incorporate possible rebates, U.S. prices would be roughly four times higher than in other countries."

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/cost-of-insulin-by-country

@beecycling @marjolica @MikeDunnAuthor They need to consider their insurance payment a tax. Then look at the budget and realize that the part that's actually labeled "tax" is already like 1/2 for medical insurance for older people.

My tax burden is around 1.5k a month. The cheapest HSA qualified plan I could find is almost $800 a month. Anything cheaper and the deductible is too high to be considered "high".

So something around 2/3 of my taxes goes to medical insurance, considered this way.

@crazyeddie
Absolutely.

Around here "social security" (health care + pension contributions + half a dozen other minor things like unemployment) is certainly the bigger burden than legal taxes for average citizens. (And notice the difference is our healthcare contribution is based not on our health but on our income up to the cut off point)

But then what is the alternative?

Letting people die because of chronic illness?

Letting the old starve?
@beecycling @marjolica @MikeDunnAuthor

@crazyeddie
Besides these options, letting people simple for of treatable illness or let them starve are not exactly compatible with human rights.

Yes I know the USA is not exactly a champion of human rights, they just like to use them as a rhetoric weapon against foreign countries.
@beecycling @marjolica @MikeDunnAuthor

@beecycling @yacc143 @marjolica @MikeDunnAuthor America is, more than a great many other countries, its people. What it does, it does because its people gave it permission to on their behalf.

As one of those evil liberals that's been walking to and fro across the earth, I've discussed these matters with other Americans. We are who we are; people want this stuff--demand it even. Anyone thinking we're a bunch of saints is delusional...deranged even. Some will kill you for saying this is so.