i think its a bit strange to blame medical costs, such as expensive treatment X for serious disease/injury that didnt exist 30 years ago, as the cause of someones death, who would have been dead without that treatment.

the money involved in healthcare does bring up some interesting thoughts.

i remember hearing that the "war on poverty" didnt impact poverty rates because govt guidlines dont factor in gov't social services such as $ amount of medicaid recieved, food stamps, etc.

so really the cause of death should include poverty + depending on X govt services, not either or