Chefs, Butlers and Marble Baths

Last week I came across a story in the New York Times that really set my mind to spinning. The article, “Chefs, Butlers and Marble Baths: Hospitals Vie for the Affluent” described a world of high thread count sheets, marble bathrooms, and dinners of lobster tail or Colorado rack of lamb – in hospital rooms. What does this type of five-star health care luxury set you back? Anywhere from about $1,000 to $4,000 per day, on top of what you and your insurance company pay for a hospital stay. While paying extra for nice hospital sheets isn’t in the cards for me, I can understand that some (think Jay-Z and Beyonce) might be willing to pay more for an upgraded room. That seems reaso...