US vs. German healthcare costs

An article out today from Business Insider: "...Appendectomy Costs $28,000 In The US And $3,000 In Germany" "An organization called the International Federation of Health Plans keeps track of medical costs in most of the developed nations around the world. As would be expected, the costs for most procedures and medical treatment is highest in the United States." Did you get that? The highest cost--most expensive--health care in the world (as we knew), yet we're ranked 37th in mortality rates. We are more likely to die younger than in 36 other countries in the world. And part of that reason is because health care is out of reach for too many Americans. It's insane. We have to change this. That's what the affordable Health Care Act (what some call "Obamacare") is all about. No, it's not perfect and yes, it needs, frankly to do more, like offer a true "public option" for insurance so we can give the insurance companies some competition and get their rates--our insurance premiums--down. But it is a good start and it benefits us Americans now. We've been gouged for too long and we need to stop it. This starts the work. Link: http://www.businessinsider.com/why-an-appendectomy-costs-2800-in-the-us-and-3000-in-germany-2012-3