Re:The Coronavirus Is Here Forever
by ethbr0 on Tuesday August 24, 2021 @08:55AM
(#28288193)
We (US) do in that national law allows a surcharge for smokers.
States may (and some do) override and decrease this, but it's allowed as the default. Notably, that and age are some of the few factors allowed to influence insurance pricing.
Regarding transplant, my understanding is people are transplanted on (1) current health state (worse = higher priority) & (2) ability to comply with post-transplant protocols.
So someone who burned their liver out with alcolism and is very sick, but makes a good case that they'll be able to stay sober post-transplant, gets an organ over a less-ill, sober victim of circumstance (e.g. dehydration/heat injury or something).
One of the key features I've heard that allow other countries to drive down health care costs is a regulatory requirement that approved treatments (pharmaceutical, surgical, etc) demonstrate greater efficacy and/or lower cost. In the US, the FDA approves on efficacy only.
End result being that in the US you can reformulate a medicine, try your best to sell it for $1,000 a pill, even when a cheaper alternative that produces the same results is available.
States may (and some do) override and decrease this, but it's allowed as the default. Notably, that and age are some of the few factors allowed to influence insurance pricing.
Regarding transplant, my understanding is people are transplanted on (1) current health state (worse = higher priority) & (2) ability to comply with post-transplant protocols.
So someone who burned their liver out with alcolism and is very sick, but makes a good case that they'll be able to stay sober post-transplant, gets an organ over a less-ill, sober victim of circumstance (e.g. dehydration/heat injury or something).
One of the key features I've heard that allow other countries to drive down health care costs is a regulatory requirement that approved treatments (pharmaceutical, surgical, etc) demonstrate greater efficacy and/or lower cost. In the US, the FDA approves on efficacy only.
End result being that in the US you can reformulate a medicine, try your best to sell it for $1,000 a pill, even when a cheaper alternative that produces the same results is available.