People are surprised when I tell them I simply refused the 3k dollar (after insurance) couple hour hospital bill for having the flu. They couldn't tell me why two tylenols, a saline drip, and a prescription cost that much. (I was vomiting blood which is why I was taken in).

They ended up dropping the bill altogether as insurance had already paid them.

> They couldn't tell me why two tylenols, a saline drip, and a prescription cost that much

I know the US system is different to what I grew up with (UK NHS), but I have had similar "treatment" when ill as a tourist in 3rd world countries: couple of pills / drip.

I understand that the difference of systems in regards to extensive care, but a couple of pills and a drip - why on earth is such basic care just not free to all?

Have you been following the quality of people running our government?

I mean, I know this seems like just a snarky political comment. But it's just the honest answer. Our federal government is simply completely dysfunctional right now, incapable of solving anything.

For what it's worth, "Medicare for All" has been polling increasingly higher recently, due to more Americans being basically ready to give up on the current private system entirely.

> dysfunctional right now

Just now? It’s seemed dysfunctional to me since I was capable of understanding government, circa 15 years ago. My parents felt the same way 30 years ago, and their parents felt the same way 50 years ago.

It's dysfunctionaler.