American health care, like America, is innovative and wasteful.

Not sure why such a poorly written opinion piece got submitted to HN. The author compares health care systems with the frivolous example of an old shoulder injury. A common form of cancer would have provided a much better illustration of the pros and cons of various health care models around the world, as socialized medicine often involves waiting many months for treatment.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-125860/Britain-tra...

The author concludes by advocating that employer health care plans be eliminated so that people can shop for health insurance as individuals. In my experience, when dealing with health insurance companies, there is strength in numbers. The lone individual has little clout when dealing with a large insurance company.