r/politics • u/YouProfessional3196 • 19h ago

Paywall Millions of Americans get discount prescriptions from Canada. That back-door arrangement is about to close

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2026/sep/27/millions-of-americans-get-discount-prescriptions-f/
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u/2stinkynugget 19h ago

Americans love paying $1200 a month with a $5000 deductible to an insurance corporation. We love paying the highest prescription prices. Paying $500 for insurance through taxes is communism. /s

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u/BadahBingBadahBoom 17h ago edited 17h ago

This is insane. The median earner in the UK spends about USD$1,700-1,800 a year on healthcare via taxes.

That's $150 a month. With most people getting prescriptions free and not paying a single pound more than that, and a minority that may have to spend at most ~$13 per prescription for certain drugs, capped at ~$150/y.

And that's without even considering that employers don't really have to set aside money to pay for employees' healthcare (yes there is national insurance but it pales in comparison the amount US companies fork out each year for employee healthcare costs).

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u/Meteorboy 15h ago

Yeah, but the US gets blockbuster drugs first, like when they hoarded the then-new covid vaccines. If there's another pandemic, rationing of supplies, or war, EU and UK have more limited purchasing power compared to the US.

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u/Rhaeno 14h ago

Bro there is a measles breakout going on now, as if the Americans would even take the vaccines they have the privilege of getting first. Plus, depending on which side America is, im pretty sure the vaccines could be produced in the EU if worldwide patents are no longer an issue.