TIL: Today I Learned
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Timsup2nothin
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Because they can. In the US, generally most of the cost is paid by insurance, hence "invisible." Then the insurance passes that cost back to the insured, who don't make the connection.
Timsup2nothin
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Bingo. The number of times I have heard "well I don't have to pay for it so why not" in regards to medications and medical procedures is staggering.
I think that both insurers and drug makers are in cahoots as far as US pricing goes. I suspect that if the actual cost of my drug is say $10, Canadian Pharmacies might pay $30 and charge $78. In the US the insurance companies may pay $100, the US pharmacies $500 and the customer $700. profits all around. BTW, my numbers are just guesses.
Broken_Erika
Play with me.
TIL Private Flora Sandes was the only British woman to serve in uniform in combat during WW1
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/A_forgotten_soldier
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/A_forgotten_soldier
Yeah, I've been reading on how how treatments for cancer and other high-risk conditions can get marked up from the $50,000 - $100,000 range to the $500,000 - $1,000,000 range. Which companies say is because of all the hidden costs… it's a bit of a Trumpian moment. They are either hiking prices because they can or because they have simply not declared massive costs on which, presumably, they are not paying tax and/or not paying their employees mandated charges e.g. workplace insurance, retirement pension fund contributions, healthcare, etc. Ouchie.
That definitely made for an interesting read.
Bamspeedy
CheeseBob
Insurers conspiring to pay higher prices doesn't make any sense. They want to reduce expenses to increase profits just like any other business. Drug companies selling products in the US for more than the sell it overseas is well documented.
Hospital costs have several things involved.
Hospitals don't really have competition. Sure, for some procedures there might be, but generally the insurance limits your choices and going to another hospital usually means higher travel costs that the patient won't be reimbursed for.
Rising deductibles means less payments the hospital actually collects. Hospital sends a bill to the insurance for $3000. Insurance says "oh, this patient hasn't met his deductible yet, so we won't send any money to the hospital" patient gets the entire bill, and if lower income might pay very little or nothing so the hospital sells the debt for pennies on the dollar to a collection agency. This is why some places will give large discounts if you can pay upfront. Of course not everyone has the means to pay upfront.
Since the hospital isn't getting paid in full, they increase the costs of each procedure to offset those that can't pay. This has a domino effect. Since Paul can't pay, the cost of the procedure is increased. But now Mark can't pay, so the price is increased, but now Sally can't pay so it's increased again.....
I'm well aware I could have shopped around to save my insurance company some $, but why? There is no guarantee the savings will pass along to me and not spread around to all other policy holders (and stock holders), or that I will still have that insurance company next year to see a lower rate. Save them $2000, I'll be lucky to benefit by $1.
Greed.
And don't kid yourselves... Canada's health care system is haywire. A national prescription drug plan will be a significant issue in next year's federal election.
My cat would disagree with you. She usually comes by several times a day when I'm on the computer, puts her paws on my knee (which tends to let me know when her claws need trimming), and gives me a "When are you gonna pay attention to ME?" look.TIL that excessive cell phone use could make your dog depressed (feeling ignored) Cats didn't give a crap.
On most of those occasions I'll pick her up and give her a cuddle.
Zkribbler
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TIL: Matilda is English
A survey asked fans to name the Roald Dahl heroine’s modern-day foe.
By Cole Delbyck
PA Wire/PA Images
Amilie Bravington, 6, from High Wycome, takes a look at a statue of Roald Dahl’s Matilda, unveiled in Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire, alongside one of President Donald Trump, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of “Matilda” the novel.
It’s been 30 years since novelist Roald Dahl introduced the world to Matilda, the telekinetic child prodigy who’d become a hero to young readers everywhere. And to celebrate the milestone, she’s facing off against a new foe: President Donald Trump.
Statues of the beloved character from the 1988 novel and the president were unveiled near the grounds of the late author’s longtime home in Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire, U.K., on Monday.
A survey asked fans to name the Roald Dahl heroine’s modern-day foe.
By Cole Delbyck
PA Wire/PA Images
Amilie Bravington, 6, from High Wycome, takes a look at a statue of Roald Dahl’s Matilda, unveiled in Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire, alongside one of President Donald Trump, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of “Matilda” the novel.
It’s been 30 years since novelist Roald Dahl introduced the world to Matilda, the telekinetic child prodigy who’d become a hero to young readers everywhere. And to celebrate the milestone, she’s facing off against a new foe: President Donald Trump.
Statues of the beloved character from the 1988 novel and the president were unveiled near the grounds of the late author’s longtime home in Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire, U.K., on Monday.
TIL that the Nobel Prize committee has no clear candidate for a winner.
At the bookies, Trump having 2/1 in June (Korea), is now at 7/1.
Crazy world.
Perhaps it would be a good thing when that committee comes with the statement: "in lack of a proper candidate, there will be no Nobel Peace Prize this year"
At the bookies, Trump having 2/1 in June (Korea), is now at 7/1.
Crazy world.
Perhaps it would be a good thing when that committee comes with the statement: "in lack of a proper candidate, there will be no Nobel Peace Prize this year"
Timsup2nothin
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I would express that as "Given the obvious lack of peace, this prize is ridiculous."
GoodSarmatian
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The should give another one to Obama just to see what happens.
The Nobel committee is in chaos right now. The husband of one of the leading committee members was just convicted f rape, and is under investigation for illegally revealing details on Nobel voting to bookmakers for betting purposes. He was so close to the committee he was affectionately known as its 19th member. The committee has 18 members. Several of those 18 have been suspended for suspected involvement in his crimes, including possibly helping cover up his rapes. Not really the best time to be giving out any awards, to be honest.
Traitorfish
The Tighnahulish Kid
I think there might be a lack of joined up thinking in trying to commemorate something published thirty years ago with commentary that won't be relevant in three years.
And why would Trump be her enemy? If she's six, she's a few years too young for him. If she's thirty-six, she's a grown woman, and far too old for him to think he can get away with raping.
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