I'll never understand why we pretend that things are this expensive.

USA, of course, because I can't imagine anywhere else in the world working this much harder and not at all smarter.

FYI, Medicare is our government insurance for older or disabled people and is paid for mainly with taxpayer dollars as well as "small" premiums by members.

!Screenshot of an itemized bill.The first line is a charge for an initial outpatient appointment lasting longer than 60 minutes, and is for 679 USD. The second line is a payment from Medicare for 149.49 USD. There is a third line for a Medicare Adjustment of 491.38 USD. The total patient responsibility is listed at the bottom and is 38.13 USD.

Nobody kidney wants to work anymore

I do have government funded insurance so I will pay less than $200. Which I will only be able to afford if I pass Go.

!Itemized hospital bill from the emergency room in the US. Listed are various services including IV, medications, and imaging. The costs range from $5 for an antinausea tablet to $500 for a pregnancy test and almost $7000 for a CT scan.

https://wattsupwiththat.com/2023/06/29/huge-nebraska-solar-park-completely-smashed-to-pieces-by-one-single-hailstorm/