Rush Limbaugh has announced that there is not a single thing wrong with our healthcare system. His recent scare while vacationing in Hawaii has convinced him. After a couple days of testing and hospitalization doctors couldn’t find anything wrong. So Limbaugh now demonstrates the nationalistic chest thumping that prevents change in healthcare. He concludes, based on his solo experience, that the healthcare system is fine. We often hear from other Republicans that we have “the best healthcare system in the world.” Of course, no matter what outcomes or dependent variables you choose—we don’t. Take your pick: Longevity? Access to care? Rates or prevalence of common medical diagnoses? Costs? Infant mortality? Any of these answers show we are lacking. The insistence that we are the best in the face of contrary evidence defines a problem we are helpless to change.

Within this definition, is a major side effect of our proud individualism. That is, we focus so much on ourselves that we lack empathy. Limbaugh can’t imagine that as one of the wealthiest persons in our great country (a $400 million radio contract), he has a beyond Cadillac insurance plan, and receives the royal treatment. He assumes everyone would get that level of care. He assumes everyone is covered-and would immediately call for help if they felt a pain or spasm around their heart. What would even be more interesting would be to follow the billing process for Limbaugh’s testing and care. Hospitals and docs love it when a wealthy or Cadillac plan person comes in. Less hassles with payment means they can do their thing, without concern for costs. In this case, the hospital will bill the insurance company a huge amount-lets say 20 or 30K. The insurance will pay less than half-usually around a third. Limbaugh will pay a small amount after complicated deductions and subtractions based on contract rates no one fully understands. If Limbaugh gets stiffed and has to pay more– no problem for him-but a big problem for others who aren’t rich. Try to decipher these types of health/insurance bills and see if you can find any logic or reason to the process. But it does keep people busy and creates jobs.