Two economists are walking in a forest when they come across a pile of bear shit.
The first economist says to the other “I’ll pay you $100 to eat that pile of shit.” The second economist takes the $100 and eats the pile of shit.
They continue walking until they come across a second pile of shit. The second economist turns to the first and says “I’ll pay you $100 to eat that pile of shit.” The first economist takes the $100 and eats a pile of shit.
Walking a little more, the first economist looks at the second and says, “You know, I gave you $100 to eat shit, then you gave me back the same $100 to eat shit. I can’t help but feel like we both just ate shit for nothing.”
“That’s not true”, responded the second economist. “We increased the GDP of the forest by $200!”
I feel like this is basically what happens to half of the GDP generated by the US healthcare system. There’s a shit ton of complex rules around payment, so insurances companies and providers basically jerk around with a shit ton of money while everyone gets fucked.
Two economists are walking in a forest when they come across a pile of bear shit.
The first economist says to the other “I’ll pay you $100 to eat that pile of shit.” The second economist takes the $100 and eats the pile of shit.
They continue walking until they come across a second pile of shit. The second economist turns to the first and says “I’ll pay you $100 to eat that pile of shit.” The first economist takes the $100 and eats a pile of shit.
Walking a little more, the first economist looks at the second and says, “You know, I gave you $100 to eat shit, then you gave me back the same $100 to eat shit. I can’t help but feel like we both just ate shit for nothing.”
“That’s not true”, responded the second economist. “We increased the GDP of the forest by $200!”
I feel like this is basically what happens to half of the GDP generated by the US healthcare system. There’s a shit ton of complex rules around payment, so insurances companies and providers basically jerk around with a shit ton of money while everyone gets fucked.
The punchline ignores the real reason they did it for humourous effect, making it funny but not illustrative.