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Are those directly comparable though? From what horrors I have heard of the US healthcare system, one can easily pay $5000 for a procedure that someone in my country can easily get just by walking into a private clinic and paying $50 out of pocket. So outstanding health expenditure per capita in the US can just be the symptom of how uniquely bloated their healthcare system is, and not the sign that US citizens use health services so much more.

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Yes, there are lots of factors like this when comparing any two countries. USA does have uniquely high expenditure supporting your bloat claim.

The point is other countries e.g. France, Switzerland, Canada, UK, there are also not significant differences vs. countries with lower GDP per capita.

I'm not saying this proves a relationship but it's a useful indicative signal, and the randomised studies cited by Hanson, combined with the health outcomes of American Amish all together make more more sceptical of the benefits of health expenditure.

I'm not certain though and would love more info. If anyone has any evidence pointing in the opposite direction then would be really interested to see it.

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