4 ms·

I simply don't understand the healthcare system in the US. Its meant to be a free market, yet insulin costs a ridiculous amount. However Opioids and synthetic o

I simply don't understand the healthcare system in the US. Its meant to be a free market, yet insulin costs a ridiculous amount. However Opioids and synthetic opioids are cheap as chips. To put it into context, In the UK the NHS buy Insulin at <$35 you can see the prices here: https://bnf.nice.org.uk/medicinal-forms/insulin.html https://bnf.nice.org.uk/medicinal-forms/insulin.html They come from the same companies and are produced to the same standard. How can a bureaucratic "socialist" care system get better price, and a much better availability than a "free market" system. (thats rhetorical, I know why) Given the number of non and under insured, I just don't understand why its not swinging elections.

maxerickson 5y ago
Generic Insulin Lispro is currently ~$50-60 per vial in the US, without any insurance or assistance from the manufacturer (though you do have to understand the system and go to specific pharmacies to get that price). The reason it's not a big issue in elections is because lots of people don't vote.
- dempsey 5y ago
  And every state administers its own Medicaid system under a different name. Lots of folks don’t even realize that their free healthcare is mostly coming from the feds. In AZ, I had to explain this to several friends that depend on AHCCS.
fernandotakai 5y ago
>I simply don't understand the healthcare system in the US. Its meant to be a free market, yet insulin costs a ridiculous amount. the problem? patents https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/why_people_with_diabetes_cant_buy_generic_insulin https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/why_peop...
anonuser123456 5y ago
Read 'The price we pay' if you want to understand the US healthcare system. Most of the 'socialist' countries don't pay for R&D on drugs; US consumers do. They pay a marginal price based on production cost, but almost none of the fixed price investments in efficacy, safety studies etc. The US system in no way resembles a functioning market. It's a byzantine spider web of regulatory capture, patent abuse, bad incentives and inertia.
unishark 5y ago
The US system is a heavily regulated market and roughly 50% socialized.

maxerickson 5y ago

Generic Insulin Lispro is currently ~$50-60 per vial in the US, without any insurance or assistance from the manufacturer (though you do have to understand the system and go to specific pharmacies to get that price). The reason it's not a big issue in elections is because lots of people don't vote.

dempsey 5y ago
And every state administers its own Medicaid system under a different name. Lots of folks don’t even realize that their free healthcare is mostly coming from the feds. In AZ, I had to explain this to several friends that depend on AHCCS.

fernandotakai 5y ago

>I simply don't understand the healthcare system in the US. Its meant to be a free market, yet insulin costs a ridiculous amount. the problem? patents https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/why_people_with_diabetes_cant_buy_generic_insulin https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/why_peop...

anonuser123456 5y ago

Read 'The price we pay' if you want to understand the US healthcare system. Most of the 'socialist' countries don't pay for R&D on drugs; US consumers do. They pay a marginal price based on production cost, but almost none of the fixed price investments in efficacy, safety studies etc. The US system in no way resembles a functioning market. It's a byzantine spider web of regulatory capture, patent abuse, bad incentives and inertia.

unishark 5y ago

The US system is a heavily regulated market and roughly 50% socialized.