There are a couple of ways to come back to your post on healthcare costs and innovation.
First, the rest of the world has access to US innovation almost at the same point.
Second, I thought drugs were like 10% (not 15%) AND staying fairly constant as a percentage while being demonized (as compared to HMOs and insurers who are increasing share).
Third, US spending is a bit out of control and no one has solved the issue to my satisfaction (or even explained it). Adding another 45 million to the system with no check on their spending levels does not seem a good way to help but taking these 45 million off of only emergency care and treating chronic conditions would be good. I am distrustful about govt in the loop though - deficit spending, rationing, controlling, etc.
It seems to me the biggest causes of higher US spending are:
1. higher incomes leading to "luxury good" spending with no real effect
2. higher doctor costs
3. higher insurance costs
4. worse lifestyles
I have a couple of other odder observations.
1. The evidence would suggest we are fairly far off the holy grail of truly extending human life. If we were making steady progress, one would expect the US to be seeing some evidence given its higher spending. Of course, these things happen as step changes.
2. My wife, when we had our baby, had much more modern care than received in US when doing check-ups here in Hong Kong. Ultrasound at each 4 week checkup (some say could cause learning disorders by the way). Total cost of each checkup only about $125 USD. My statin only costs $30 per month here. Going to hospital with stomach flu in middle of night only costs $25-30 with a shot to reduce stomach cramping. I cannot explain the differences but they do exist.
Jon
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