A recent report by The Commonwealth Fund highlighted the failings of the U.S. health system in comparison to other developed nations. The U.S. ranked last among 10 countries in critical areas of health care, including preventing deaths, access due to high costs, and ensuring quality treatment for all. Despite spending almost twice as much on health care as any other nation, the U.S. experiences the youngest deaths and the most avoidable deaths. This issue is of great concern to voters, with health care being a top priority in the upcoming presidential election. Potential solutions include building upon the Affordable Care Act or implementing deregulation.
The high cost of health care in the U.S. does not guarantee superior care, as the country is found to be undersupplied with essential resources like doctors and hospital beds. This often leads to long wait times for specialty care and difficulties finding a primary care physician. The report also highlighted that patients and families in the U.S. have to pay more out of pocket for essential health care compared to other countries, resulting in poorer health outcomes and less access to necessary services. The administrative efficiency of the U.S. health system also ranked poorly due to a complex and confusing system of hospital bills, insurance disputes, and out-of-pocket requirements.
In the category of equity, the U.S. also ranked second to last, with many lower-income individuals reporting challenges in affording necessary care and experiencing unfair treatment or discrimination. The country had the lowest life expectancy and the highest rates of preventable and treatable excess deaths, particularly exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. The findings of the report underscore the disparities in access to quality health care in the U.S., particularly among vulnerable populations such as racial minorities and those with low incomes. Many individuals are uninsured or underinsured, leading to delays or avoidance of care due to the high cost of medical services.
The U.S. differs from other countries in lacking universal health care coverage, which has been identified as a critical factor in ensuring accessibility to necessary medical services. Universal health care systems can provide care to all individuals, regardless of their ability to pay, and establish long-term relationships with health care providers. Implementing universal health care coverage has the potential to address many of the shortcomings identified in the report and improve health outcomes for all Americans. The researchers emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of the health care crisis in the U.S. and implementing solutions such as lowering the cost of care and expanding access to coverage. By recognizing and acting upon these opportunities for change, the U.S. can work towards improving its health care system and ensuring better outcomes for all its citizens.
