interesting point ... as an Australian I would be interested to know just how much choice you have as a consumer in America. I was under the impression it was employer funded, thus reducing the gamut of what you could get from "the market"
People like to rave about US health care. In the US almost all companies require you to pay a part of their premium. The exception is usually federal or local governments and some unions provide no-premium or no-deductible coverage (very rare)For a typical family I have seen that portion be several hundred $$ a month. And then you generally have copays which (in many plans supporting Obomacare standards) usually means you pay 100% of the insurance negotiated cost up to a deductible and for me and my wife this year is is $1900 each this year. So when you think about it before insurance kicks in we have paid probably $2500 in premium and $3800 out of pocket each year. If we had kids it would be higher.
And we like to brag about your choice of doctor which is only partially true. Sure I can pick my doctor most times, but the lab or facility that does procedures may or may not be "in-network" and if they are not, those are higher and separate deductibles. Oh and call an Ambulance and most are not in network with any insurance carrier.
When I go to my doctor if I need blood work I need to go to a lab as the doctor's blood work people are with a company not in-network.
The people that brag about the US Health Insurance systems usually have not used it extensively.
That said when I had my OHS 2 years ago my total out of pocket was $5000 (not including premiums) after that everything else that year was $0. But think about it, to get to $5000 out of pocket I had to pay the first $1500 (that's years deductible) then 20% of the remaining bills until I paid $5000.
One of the main reasons I went to Cleveland Clinic was the excellent reputation, but the second benefit was they were a single biller facility. All doctors work for them, so I got one itemized bill. Most hospitals do not work that way. You get a bill from hospital, DR, anesthesia, etc. Heck my Colonoscopy last month has at least 4 bills I get (DR, anesthesia, the clinic and pathology). A very inefficient and wasteful systems.
ObomaCare costs are usually higher form similar coverage or cost less with less coverage. I have no clue how a young family with kids survives on minimum wage or even $50K a year.