LabGuy,
Thanks for the info...another labyrinth of Where does the dough go and why, imo.

As a holder/payer of our own insurance, (North Carolina BC/BS Major Med only), to the tune of ~$8,000 per year
off the top, (or bottom), and dreading having to "use" it some time, (with our $5G deductible), I hope I don't get
sick or need coverage any time soon...holding on for MediCare in 3 1/2 more years, but hearing the tales from my
older Geezer buds, makes that look like a wonderment, too.

I am not railing, and I realize "health care in US" has been beaten to a pulp here; and, I've read a lot on the topic...
maybe it, like "gov't", is one of those things we cannot fix or, make "better".
BR,mD