Perhaps the total cost was 10k, but his copay was affordable to him.

I see...

We end up paying for it through premiums and whatnot. The cost is enormous despite the fact that he/she was little out of pocket at the time of the procedure.

In other news; Norwegian just broke the transatlantic subsonic speed record previously held by BA.

Norwegian Airlines Claims New Transatlantic Record | Time

Bottom line:
We pay TWICE as much as the next highest cost country (Sweden, which had the #1 ranked system), and we are ranked at #32 globally.
We are getting TOTALLY SCREWED by the 0.1%!

The Swedes pay a huge amount in income and social security taxes as well as a VAT of 25% on almost everything.
No thanks.

Yet most everyday items are similarly priced despite said VAT...

Awful compensation package. Thanks for lowering the bar.

please read "Flying the Line" volume 1 & 2.

educate yourself.

https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-livin...ountry2=Sweden

Indices DifferenceConsumer Prices in Sweden are 16.57% higher than in United StatesConsumer Prices Including Rent in Sweden are 2.71% higher than in United StatesRent Prices in Sweden are 25.47% lower than in United StatesRestaurant Prices in Sweden are 25.55% higher than in United StatesGroceries Prices in Sweden are 4.42% higher than in United StatesLocal Purchasing Power in Sweden is 12.20% lower than in United States

And yet Sweden has a higher overall quality of life:

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/...uality-of-life

Quality of life is in the eye of the beholder. What makes the Sweds happy could be different than what makes Americans happy. Heck, what makes an average Californian happy is different than what makes an average Texan happy.

While we are at it, if working for Norwegian makes you happy then knock yourself out. More major slots for the rest!

Anyone in the 24th class?