Medicare for All: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

A friend of mine went to Japan, he had a heart attack while over there. They billed him......a little over 1K USD. In the US the same treatment would cost him over 200K. He actually found it cheaper to fly back to Japan to see the doctor for a 6 month followup than to see his doctor here and the tests here.

He shoots down every objection but left one important thing out. The primary reason so many employers keep millions of people permanently part time is to avoid having to provide heath insurance.

The exorbitant cost of healthcare in America is a result of several complex factors. Firstly, the country's fragmented healthcare system leads to inefficiencies and administrative overheads, with multiple layers of bureaucracy and paperwork increasing expenses. Additionally, the high prices of medical services, pharmaceuticals, and equipment contribute significantly to healthcare costs, fueled by a lack of price transparency and competition. Moreover, the prevalence of costly medical procedures, defensive medicine practices, and a fee-for-service payment model further drive up expenses. Addressing these systemic issues and promoting reforms focused on efficiency, affordability, and accessibility is crucial to mitigate the burden of healthcare costs on individuals and the economy.

I got an appendectomy at 19 years old with a bill of $30,000. I couldn't afford the college I was going to anymore, which I had a football scholarship for. it has crushed me.

My son’s insulin shouldn’t be $1000 a month when it costs less than $3 to make. Period. (Updated price in 2021: $2035)

I'm a Taiwanese citizen living in the US. Years ago I suspected I had a tumor and called a doctor to try to have it diagnosed. They said they can schedule me for a CT scan in two weeks and it'll cost me $3,500 out of pocket coz I haven't met my insurance deductible. I hung up the phone and booked a $900 plane ticket back to Taiwan in 2 days, had my choice of doctor, had it diagnosed (it was an ovarian cyst), scheduled and undergone surgery, and out of the hospital all within one week. It costed me $3 as is standard co-pay for our country's universal healthcare system. I really do not understand the argument of higher prices, longer lines, no choices.

I live in Canada and yes I've had to wait at the emergency room to get stitches when I cut my arm, but that's because my injury wasn't life threatening. I'd rather wait 2 hours than get a bill for thousands of dollars, tbh.

I’m Australian, less than year ago when I was 15 I woke up with no vision in my right eye. I spent a full week in hospital, saw several specialists, and since have had 2 MRI’s. The loveliest people, best doctors and nurses, and accomodation + food in the hospital, and it didn’t cost a cent. My eye is all good, but I can’t put into words how much respect I gained for my country’s Medicare system. It works America

As an American, I NEVER cease to he amazed by how easily Americans can be talked out of their best interests. Its astounding and embarrassing. The people who need medicare the most are the most vocal about disliking it.

Joking about American healthcare is like joking about North Korea. Incredibly funny until you realise how many people died for a punchline

I’m Canadian, from Quebec. I watched this episode and another one in November 2021 while waiting for a colonoscopy at the hospital. They apologized for the delay, I said, it’s 8000$ in the USA. I couldn’t afford it, so I don’t mind waiting a bit. Especially during a pandemic. The nurse was surprised and thanked me. No need, I don’t mind waiting 60 mins under a warm blanket to see a specialist. Thanks to John and team.

Let's get real, those who oppose affordable healthcare are those who have investments in insurance, pharmaceuticals or medical supplies companies.

My mom needs a specific inhaler for her lungs. My moms doctor has told her she needs it. My moms doctor prescribed it to her. My moms insurance told her she doesn’t qualify for the inhaler. Welcome to choice and Freedom in America.

The biggest mind boggle, to me, is this: Americans would rather pay a for-profit company more, just so they can pat themselves on the back for paying the government less.

2 weeks ago I had a STEMI heart attack. I live in a rural area in Australia. Ambulance to hospital, ambulance to airport, Air ambulance (helicopter) to larger regional hospital with a cath lab, 2 drug eluting stents, 3 days in ICU and a cab for the 1 1/2 hour home trip. Total cost was $67 AUD for my discharge meds. I love universal health care!

Imagine not having to worry about health benefits when looking for a new job. That would be so cool

I wonder how many of the people who say that "Americans love choice" do not support choice when it comes to abortion...

"we like to have choice in health care" yeah that lady looked really happy choosing between a diabetic coma and a cardiac arrest

As a Nordic citizen, it is incredible to see how much private medicine and healthcare costs and how damaging it is to a society, because many low income families simply can not afford insurance or healthcare or have to opt out of certain parts.

I've been trying to get my Korean wife enrolled through Medicare. However, since I am a retired service member in Korea and my wife is Korean they said I have to go through the US Embassy in the Philippines. I started in March 2021 and some of the delay was sending certified mail to Manila. I did that through a military postal service. It took a month to get to Manila, the Philippines and sat there for 3 months due to a lock down. Finally around October the Medicare section in Manila said all the correct paper work was done and was sent to the US for processing. My wife still hasn't received anything and now it has been 11 months and 2 weeks since we have started. I contacted Medicare in the US but they said I have to check with the US Embassy in the Philippines. However, the US Embassy says they have to wait for Medicare to finish in the US. Talk about lazy, worthless and incompetent people. As a retired US Army service member, I was proud to serve my country. My only regret is that we also serve and protect those who could care less about us.