Cost, quality, and access are three pillars of the U.S. health system.
Write about some of the key characteristics of the U.S. healthcare system related to cost, quality, and access.
- Please include at least two references
- One reference must be from below
- one must have been published within the past year.
- Summarize your post in 500 to 750 words.
The United States healthcare system is characterized by three primary pillars: cost, quality, and access. These three factors are interconnected and have a significant impact on the overall functioning of the healthcare system. This post will discuss some of the key characteristics of the U.S. healthcare system related to cost, quality, and access.
Cost The cost of healthcare in the United States is among the highest in the world. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), healthcare spending in the United States was approximately $3.8 trillion in 2019, representing 17.7% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) (CMS, 2021). This is significantly higher than the healthcare spending of other developed countries. For example, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reported that the United States spent $11,072 per capita on healthcare in 2019, compared to an OECD average of $4,116 (OECD, 2021).
One of the primary reasons for the high cost of healthcare in the United States is the fee-for-service payment model, where healthcare providers are paid based on the number of services they provide. This incentivizes providers to order more tests and procedures, which can drive up healthcare costs. Additionally, administrative costs associated with the healthcare system, including billing and insurance processing, are also a significant contributor to the overall cost of healthcare in the United States (Squires & Anderson, 2021).
Quality While the United States spends more on healthcare than any other country, this does not necessarily translate into better health outcomes. In fact, the United States lags behind other developed countries in several key health indicators, including life expectancy, infant mortality, and chronic disease prevalence (National Center for Health Statistics, 2020).
One of the reasons for this discrepancy is that the United States has a fragmented healthcare system, with multiple payers and providers operating independently. This can lead to gaps in care coordination and communication, which can negatively impact patient outcomes. Additionally, the high cost of healthcare can be a barrier to accessing necessary medical care, which can also contribute to poor health outcomes.
Access Access to healthcare is a critical issue in the United States, with millions of Americans lacking health insurance or experiencing other barriers to care. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, approximately 30 million non-elderly Americans were uninsured in 2020 (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2021). Even for those with insurance, high out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles and copays, can be a significant barrier to accessing necessary medical care.
One of the primary barriers to access is the lack of a universal healthcare system in the United States. Unlike many other developed countries, the United States does not have a national healthcare program that provides coverage to all citizens. Instead, healthcare coverage is provided through a patchwork of public and private insurance programs, which can be confusing and difficult to navigate for many Americans.
In conclusion, the cost, quality, and access of healthcare are interconnected factors that play a critical role in the functioning of the U.S. healthcare system. While the United States spends more on healthcare than any other country, there are significant disparities in health outcomes and access to care. Addressing these issues will require a comprehensive approach that considers the underlying causes of high healthcare costs, the need for improved care coordination and communication, and the importance of ensuring universal access to healthcare for all Americans.
References:
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2021). National health expenditures 2019 highlights. Retrieved from https://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Statistics-Trends-and-Reports/NationalHealthExpendData/NationalHealthAccountsHistorical
Kaiser Family Foundation. (2021). Key facts about the uninsured population