Healthcare: Why does America spend so much, for so little?

From the linked article:

> Once you start paying for costs from your wallet instead having a large employer shield you, you really feel the pain of healthcare pricing nightmares, like paying a 1000% markup on a generic Tylenol pill.

While not the only reason, this "shield" that most (i.e., those with insurance) have between themselves and the actual price paid is part of the reason for the out of control costs. The patient will care less about the cost if "_the insurance is paying it_", and as long as the insurance company is profitable, it will not care quite so much either because it is just shuffling around "other peoples money".