70 years ago is about when the current PAYMENT FOR SERVICES medical model began. That model has now reached an extreme stage because new scientific knowledge and advances in technology have made more and more medical services available to be sold. My little town has an MRI machine (that it doesn't need) for people who get claustrophobic lying in an enclosed tube. You get the same MRI for a higher price. I'm sure a lot of people who use it find out their insurance company expects them to pay the extra $250 or so for the added comfort.
The whole subject of MRI's illustrates the this point in another way. Thanks to massive advertising by General Electric and Siemens patients have been demanding MRI's for the past 15 years under the false impression that an MRI can diagnose and cure almost anything. If you are paying into this system you should wince a little every time an MRI that wasn't needed is done. My wife needed an MRI a few years ago. We found out we had 3 choices: $2000, $1300 or $760. We spent the $760 and were very happy. Insured patients usually don't get to make those choices and probably never see the price. The Mystery Of Health Care Prices (this article gives good insight into this racket)
My grandparents (dad side) were healthy into their late 80's and died of natural causes. The only high tech medical thing I know of them ever needing was his hearing aids. I'd like to know what their lifetime medical care bill was because I'm sure you and I would be astounded at how low it was. The next generation (my mom and dad) was completely different. Countless hospital admissions, weekly doctors visits, multiple specialists, annual trips to the Mayo Clinic. (All covered by insurance)
This resulted in basically the same long and happy lives but the cost was waaay more than I've made in my whole working life. They never worried about the cost because it was all 'covered'.
In these days of very high unemployment you better worry about it because an 'uncovered' medical bill means you will be hounded to the ends of your meager wages or savings and a lien put on your humble abode.
Those previous generations in my family had 2 main things in common: Good genes and good food. I know because I ate with them and shared their stories. They never went to Burger King because they knew that wasn't food. They always ate 3 square, healthy meals a day cooked with great care and on time. It didn't need to be expensive or fancy, just wholesome and fresh. They got 8 or 9 hours sleep every night and enjoyed good friends and a drink or two. (Maybe you should too!)
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