Mr. Boy is home from school today with a sinus infection. He got his flu-mist last week so he’ll escape the flu, but the sinus infections that periodically plague Mom and Dad are his burden, too, it appears. The surprise of the day was the cost of the strawberry-flavored liquid antibiotic: $122. And that’s with a health insurance co-pay and a coupon from the pediatrician. Otherwise it would have been $166. As amazing as antibiotics are–eliminating many bacterial infections that used to kill children and adults with regularity–the makers are pricing them so high that the amazement is becoming a burden. But, still, one you can’t do without.
UPDATE This unusually good (and brief) analysis of what government health insurance would look like in the USA after the various interest groups get finished with it is worth a read. Some of the scores of comments are illuminating, and a few of them are heartbreaking. Via Instapundit.
THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER 
I’m amazed at the cost of medications. Actually, our family is paying more than ever for our health insurance, and out of pocket expenses these days.
Our co-pays all went up $5 or so. But Mr. B’s Mom says our insurance will reimburse us 80 percent of the drug’s cost. I started to say that everything’s more expensive these days, but actually it isn’t. All that stuff made in China, from kid’s clothes to toys, is pretty cheap. A 5-person (China-made) tent for camping is less than $50. That amazes me. Perhaps because it’s been more than forty years since I had my own tent. The things you learn from having a boy in Cub Scouts. Thanks for the visit.
You need a PHD to figure out the drug plan I have. It all depends whether it is generic or not or there is a substitue the doctor will presribe. Whether you get a 30,60 or 90 day supply through the mail or at the drug store.
Imagine what it would be like if the government took it over. Could it be any worse? I think government would find a way.
The drug companies do invest a lot in new antibiotics, that’s true, and the world is playing catch up with drug-resistant microbes. But the insurance companies and the drug industry are so fused in one huge blood-sucking cartel nowadays, that it is not clear how to deal with it.
Sometimes the government-controlled (not government-managed, deity forbid!) version that is still somehow survives in Israel looks attractive, but it too has a lot of holes.
Still, $122 for a sinus relief drug is a crime. I think so.
How does that Israeli government-controlled one work? Like Medicare, maybe?
The health insurance tax is collected by the government and distributed to several health care providers, according to the number of clients they have. These are private companies that are responsible for the whole spectrum of health care – from the GP to any surgery. These companies are free to subcontract any private or government doctor or surgery, it is up to them based on their profit and loss considerations.
There is some government control – quality, minimal drug portfolio etc. Otherwise their decision-making is up to them.
At least there is no insurance company as a middleman. Of course, insurance companies are trying to get into the business, offering complementary coverage of drugs that are above the standard minimum, special expensive surgery (transplants abroad, stuff like this). But at least they cannot screw you too seriously on a regular basis.
I always ask my doctor not to prescribe the fashionable drug du jour if possible. There are dozens of antibiotics that have been in use for years. They also don’t have as many harmful side effects as the new designer drugs do. New and troubling side effects are usually found in the first 7 years of a drug’s use.
Mr. Boy’s pedi always prescribes generic stuff. But it has to taste like bubblegum or strawberries, or Mr. B. would rather die. He says.