@drake_koefoed @sickburnbro @CrustyB @Escoffier Competition does not increase costs, other than advertising-costs borne by all players. That is one reason why Big-Pharma could not advertise prescription drugs to the general-public, before the 80s. However, there was corruption in the medical-journals at that time (still is, today).

Yes - the other major problem with folks covering their own medical costs/insurance, is that MOST Americans live hand-to-mouth - cannot find $400 cash in an emergency.