Without getting into an overly complicated, Marxist debate about the nature of a commodity, the answer to this question is relatively simple: yes/no. We spend money on healthcare; businesses profit from our spending. So, yes, healthcare is a commodity. On the other hand, its next to impossible to fix a value on extending someone’s life, relieving their pain, helping them function. At the center of the debate, there exists a disconnect between what healthcare costs (equipment, expertise, drugs, facilities) and what it’s worth. So, no, healthcare is not a pure commodity. Continue reading →