Scott Alexander criticizes the emergence of expensive, prescription-only therapy apps, using Somryst (a CBT-i app) as an example, and warns about the normalization of this trend. Longer summary

Scott Alexander discusses the emergence of prescription-only apps, focusing on Somryst, a CBT-i app for insomnia. He criticizes the high cost ($899) and prescription requirement, arguing that it defeats the purpose of making therapy more accessible. The post explains how the US healthcare system incentivizes this model, comparing it to prescription fish oil. Scott expresses disappointment in the lack of affordable alternatives and warns that this trend might become normalized, urging readers to act while they still feel outraged by it. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander presents numerous examples of how the U.S. employer-provided health insurance system fails even insured, well-off individuals, arguing that almost any alternative system would be better. Longer summary

Scott Alexander critiques the employer-provided health insurance system in the United States, presenting numerous real-life examples of how it fails even well-off, insured individuals. He argues that the system creates unnecessary barriers to care, disrupts continuity of treatment, and traps people in undesirable life situations. The post illustrates how the current system fails not just the poor and uninsured, but also those who seemingly should benefit from it. Scott concludes that virtually any other healthcare system would resolve these issues. Shorter summary