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Comment by amelius | Hacker News Reader

> Its very typical of modernism (especially in the US) to think that the way to address everything is a nice app with a better UI.

I'd be happy if the app could show medical expenses before the treatment.

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Yes check the app while your limp unconscious body is shoved into the back of an ambulance. Type in appendectomy near me while you're writhing in pain in the passenger seat and decided, the hospital the next town over is a better deal

You use an absurd scenario, not sure why, but we both know there are tons of times you go to a medical provider where if you could pay less for a slightly longer car ride, you'd do it. But that information isn't even available now. The only fucking industry that is allowed to sell you stuff without telling you how much it will cost.

Who cares how much it costs if your health insurance cover it? The reality is that healthcare is so expensive that it can bankrupt anyone who isn't a millionaire- which is why it needs to be mandatory and comprehensive.

Right now millions of Americans are basically committing fraud: they go to a doctor who has taken an oath to help you. The bill is not getting paid so the government has to step in anyway. May as well make it official.

>Who cares how much it costs if your health insurance cover it?

At least under the current model, many people don't hit their deductible or max out of pocket. I know some older retired couples who are buying insurance on the market with 10k+ deductibles because they're generally in really good health, and the cost of insurance isn't absolutely insane with that level of deductible.

They would absolutely drive an hour rather than 5 minutes for non-emergency situations!

Exactly but why not blame the people who can't afford health insurance of committing fraud instead! After all if you're dying and have other choice than die or commit fraud, you're definitely a dirty fraudster!

So you're not qualified enough to fix what you don't know is wrong (is this pain in your leg a simple thing, is it an actual fracture you're just surviving on on pure adrenalin, is it microfractures that might take more to heal), but you think for some reason you (or an app) would be qualified enough to tell you how much you'd pay for "leg pain" ?

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