Families in the U.S. fork out about $27,000 a year just to insure themselves—more than enough to buy a new car. That staggering price tag comes down to one simple fact: the same procedures and prescriptions cost far more here than in any other country. A hip replacement or an MRI scan carries a much heftier bill, and even generic drugs can run several times higher than abroad. On top of steep sticker prices, Americans are using more high-cost treatments. Hospital stays have ticked up, and the recent craze for new weight-loss medications—some costing thousands per month—has driven spending even higher. In other words, it’s not just what we pay per service, but how many expensive services we’re consuming.