Medicare for All: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

I'm a Taiwanese citizen living in the US. Years ago I suspected I had a tumor and called a doctor to try to have it diagnosed. They said they can schedule me for a CT scan in two weeks and it'll cost me $3,500 out of pocket coz I haven't met my insurance deductible. I hung up the phone and booked a $900 plane ticket back to Taiwan in 2 days, had my choice of doctor, had it diagnosed (it was an ovarian cyst), scheduled and undergone surgery, and out of the hospital all within one week. It costed me $3 as is standard co-pay for our country's universal healthcare system. I really do not understand the argument of higher prices, longer lines, no choices.

A friend of mine went to Japan, he had a heart attack while over there. They billed him......a little over 1K USD. In the US the same treatment would cost him over 200K. He actually found it cheaper to fly back to Japan to see the doctor for a 6 month followup than to see his doctor here and the tests here.

The exorbitant cost of healthcare in America is a result of several complex factors. Firstly, the country's fragmented healthcare system leads to inefficiencies and administrative overheads, with multiple layers of bureaucracy and paperwork increasing expenses. Additionally, the high prices of medical services, pharmaceuticals, and equipment contribute significantly to healthcare costs, fueled by a lack of price transparency and competition. Moreover, the prevalence of costly medical procedures, defensive medicine practices, and a fee-for-service payment model further drive up expenses. Addressing these systemic issues and promoting reforms focused on efficiency, affordability, and accessibility is crucial to mitigate the burden of healthcare costs on individuals and the economy.

I got an appendectomy at 19 years old with a bill of $30,000. I couldn't afford the college I was going to anymore, which I had a football scholarship for. it has crushed me.

My son’s insulin shouldn’t be $1000 a month when it costs less than $3 to make. Period. (Updated price in 2021: $2035)

I don't think most Americans realize they are one medical emergency from bankruptcy. My 2 year old got pneumonia. The medications, doctors, urgent care, ambulance, ER visit, and 3 day hospital stay cost us close to $10k out of pocket, and we have insurance! If our insurance had decided the ambulance was unnecessary, it would have been double that. Even if you're insured, one car accident can wipe out your savings. One diagnosis, one surgery. We used up 7 years worth of our health savings plan in one weekend, and it was a short hospital stay with no complications. Even if our taxes doubled, that year would have been a hell of a lot cheaper with Medicare for all. Folks with chronic conditions pay that much every year. Life saving health care shouldn't be this expensive.

I’m Australian, less than year ago when I was 15 I woke up with no vision in my right eye. I spent a full week in hospital, saw several specialists, and since have had 2 MRI’s. The loveliest people, best doctors and nurses, and accomodation + food in the hospital, and it didn’t cost a cent. My eye is all good, but I can’t put into words how much respect I gained for my country’s Medicare system. It works America

I live in Canada and yes I've had to wait at the emergency room to get stitches when I cut my arm, but that's because my injury wasn't life threatening. I'd rather wait 2 hours than get a bill for thousands of dollars, tbh.

He shoots down every objection but left one important thing out. The primary reason so many employers keep millions of people permanently part time is to avoid having to provide heath insurance.

I live in the UK. My dad had lung cancer. He had MRIs, Xrays, medication, radiotherapy, 3 operations to keep his airway open, an oncologist, surgeon and respiratory consultant, plus numerous stays in hospital. It cost us nothing. Except the usual NI payments that are less than most US insurance payments. No doctor declined treatment , no one asked us for money, no one gave us forms to fill in for payment. No we didn't wait in a long line. No we didn't get substandard care, no we didn't have to crowdfund, remortgage the house or go bankrupt. I am disabled. I have to have 14 different meds to stay alive. I pay around 15 dollars amonth for ALL my meds. And Brits consider that to be expensive. The truth is universal healthcare works, is not as expensive as private and if looked after properly, saves money. That's why every civilised nation has it.

I’m Canadian, from Quebec. I watched this episode and another one in November 2021 while waiting for a colonoscopy at the hospital. They apologized for the delay, I said, it’s 8000$ in the USA. I couldn’t afford it, so I don’t mind waiting a bit. Especially during a pandemic. The nurse was surprised and thanked me. No need, I don’t mind waiting 60 mins under a warm blanket to see a specialist. Thanks to John and team.

2 weeks ago I had a STEMI heart attack. I live in a rural area in Australia. Ambulance to hospital, ambulance to airport, Air ambulance (helicopter) to larger regional hospital with a cath lab, 2 drug eluting stents, 3 days in ICU and a cab for the 1 1/2 hour home trip. Total cost was $67 AUD for my discharge meds. I love universal health care!

As an American, I NEVER cease to he amazed by how easily Americans can be talked out of their best interests. Its astounding and embarrassing. The people who need medicare the most are the most vocal about disliking it.

The biggest mind boggle, to me, is this: Americans would rather pay a for-profit company more, just so they can pat themselves on the back for paying the government less.

Let's get real, those who oppose affordable healthcare are those who have investments in insurance, pharmaceuticals or medical supplies companies.

As a Nordic citizen, it is incredible to see how much private medicine and healthcare costs and how damaging it is to a society, because many low income families simply can not afford insurance or healthcare or have to opt out of certain parts.

As a european, I don't get why some americans are so afraid of Medicare for all. My country's system doesn't lose any money and we barely pay anything (except for comfort treatment which is payed by company health insurance). Not paying an ambulance to get to the ER seems the bare minimum in a civilized country.

I'm Canadian and I will never forget the first time I learned, as a teen, that not all Americans want universal health coverage. I was sitting beside an American girl on the plane who was around my age who was telling me why having free healthcare would be bad and I was completely mind-blown. I grew up with the mindset that I could walk in to any hospital or clinic or call an ambulance and get high quality care without paying anything so I always thought the fact that healthcare is a human right was a no-brainer. Sometimes it feels like Americans are like that girl who's only ever been in unhealthy relationships and when she meets a great guy, she breaks up with him because she thinks something must be wrong with him to be so good to her.

Imagine not having to worry about health benefits when looking for a new job. That would be so cool

I love the fact that John Oliver can be both happy and angry while at the same time screaming at his audiences to inform them about serious problems in the world. I Love your format.