Cost of healthcare

As the debate to extend the Obamacare subsidies continues, the claim that insurance companies benefit most from these monies is in the news. Recall that Brian Thompson, the CEO of United Healthcare, was murdered in 2024 by a disgruntled citizen who was upset about the high cost of healthcare. Obamacare started paying benefits in 2014 and that year United Healthcare stock was at $100 and today it is $600. There are a number of things that can be done to lower the cost of healthcare but instead the government offers subsidies. What are some things that can lower prices? Give most favored nation status to the US to determine drug prices Eliminate the intermediary companies (PBM’s) that raise the price of drugs Allow companies to form associations to have more buying power when negotiating with insurance companies. Allow companies to negotiate across state lines to increase competition when buying insurance Require transparency in insurance so people can see up front what something will cost and not have to wait until after the service is performed Deport illegal migrants who use emergency services for free as this cost is passed on to the rest of the patients These are things that could be tried instead of first going to subsidies.