Meaningful ones? My area has two major hospitals, and two major insurers. Each hospital has bought up the vast majority of primary care practices in the area and slapped their logos on them; each insurer has a preferred hospital they steer you towards. Within that hospital's network of practices there's no meaningful competition. Most people can't pick between the two insurers; work decides.
> And the whole "health is priceless" is laughable considering obesity and smoking.
It's priceless when acutely at risk. People are horrible about preventative care, but they'll shell out virtually anything not to die next week.
I think the choices are between care options, and are absolutely meaningful. Few would choose to spend 250k on end of life care if that was coming from their grandkids college fund. Few would try a 50k implant or surgery before physical therapy if they had to pay.
Meaningful ones? My area has two major hospitals, and two major insurers. Each hospital has bought up the vast majority of primary care practices in the area and slapped their logos on them; each insurer has a preferred hospital they steer you towards. Within that hospital's network of practices there's no meaningful competition. Most people can't pick between the two insurers; work decides.
> And the whole "health is priceless" is laughable considering obesity and smoking.
It's priceless when acutely at risk. People are horrible about preventative care, but they'll shell out virtually anything not to die next week.