Hacker News Reader

Comment by missedthecue | Hacker News Reader

Americans also consume a lot more healthcare. And doctors and nurses earn 2x more than in other countries. An NHS nurse makes something like $33k a year. In the US it's going to be $60-70k before overtime.

View on HN

I'd be curious to see what portion of US health care goes to salaries of licensed health care workers, and how the relates to labor costs of various middle men and administrators, as well as regulatory compliance people.

Administration costs have gone something like 4x since 1980. The specific share they take is probably dependent on the niche, but like universities, a huge portion of cost is siphoned away to paper pushing.

When you go to the doctor ask them if they think they are making more or less than your deductible for the visit.

The only time I've seen a doctor since I've been responsible for health insurance was when the police took me there in handcuffs against my will and without a court order or any legal basis. Obviously on that occasion I refused to provide insurance. I've never been to the doctor voluntarily as an independent adult or paid a deductible for my healthcare. Can you explain how the deductible relates and is useful for figuring doctor's pay?

When you see a doctor when you have insurance you have to pay an out of pocket fee. Because economics teaches us that patients needs skin in the game otherwise people will abuse 'free healthcare'. This makes total sense if you're an economist. Because well if you are an economist you are an extremely stupid person.

Now if you're an accountant you'd take 20 patients a day X 250 working days a year X $50 and get $250,000. Which is close or more than a doctors take home.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com