“One more factor is the huge malpractice premiums that US doctors pay to protect themselves against frivolous lawsuits.”
Actually that is not the case. With the exception of a few specialties like neurosurgery or obstetrics, actual malpractice premiums are a small part of the total cost of health care in the US. A bigger problem are all the unnecessary tests and treatments that providers use in order to protect themselves from lawsuits.
“If we only had catastrophic insurance – and everybody would be paying for routine tests and appts ourselves – the prices would go down.”
That is true in theory, but it doesn’t work for people who aren’t wealthy enough to pay for the routine tests and appts.
Furthermore, the cost of health insurance in NY is driven up by the many mandated coverages — and one of the most expensive is the assisted reproductive technology that all insurers, including Medicaid, are required to cover. The frum community lobbied long and hard to get this coverage so that couples would be able to afford the mitzvah of pru urvu. I personally know frum kids who WOULD NOT EXIST without this expensive mandate.
” Until we have Tort Reform – prices will not go down”
In fact, prices have not come down in the states that have instituted Tort Reform. Texas is probably the worst example. When George W. Bush was governor it was his signature achievement. It did not help and Texas now has the worst healthcare system in America, with many Americans going to Mexico for health care!
I should add that it may be a Torah right for someone to sue and collect for actual damages, including health care and loss of income. The punitive damages are the problem. We really need a no fault system.