Anecdotally, my experience with the American healthcare system is the exact opposite of OP’s. I went through a bout of months of intense pain, seeing 7+ doctors

Anecdotally, my experience with the American healthcare system is the exact opposite of OP’s. I went through a bout of months of intense pain, seeing 7+ doctors. Each of them insisted on running (and re-running) blood test after blood test, even repeating blood tests that had already been done only days prior. In the end I had over 100 different blood tests done and the only thing ever prescribed was some heartburn medication. Other times, my primary doctor always insists on doing blood tests before anything else. The only time I’ve been to him and been prescribed something before getting a blood test was when I went in for a muscle sprain, and even then the prescription was for some pretty mild muscle relaxers. I’ve also had the pleasure of experiencing kidney stones, and even when in the ER for that the doctors were extremely hesitant to give me anything stronger than ibuprofen until they did multiple blood tests and imaging to confirm without a doubt that the opiates were necessary. I know statistics say otherwise, but I too am always surprised to hear stories about American doctors handing out opiates like candy.