In 2012, for example, the average cost of coronary bypass surgery was more than $73,000 in the United States but less than $23,000 in France. Despite this evidence, respected commentators continue to cite costs as a reason to doubt that single-payer can succeed in the United States. In addition to being far cheaper, single-payer would also defuse the powerful political objections to the Affordable Care Act’s participation mandate. Similarly, no health insurer could remain in business if each of its policy holders generated many thousands of dollars in health care reimbursements each month. Perhaps it’s time to go further: Individual states and, eventually, the entire country, can save money and improve services by embracing single-payer health care.

Source: New York Times July 07, 2017 10:52 UTC