A recent report by The Commonwealth Fund finds that the health system in the U.S. is failing compared to other developed nations. The U.S. ranks as the worst performer in areas such as preventing deaths, access to care, and quality treatment for all. Despite spending the most on healthcare, people in the U.S. experience the most avoidable deaths and die the youngest. Healthcare is a top priority for voters in the upcoming presidential election, with different candidates proposing different solutions such as building on the Affordable Care Act or deregulation.
The report highlights that the U.S. spends the most on healthcare but gets the least in return. Patients and families have to pay high out-of-pocket costs for essential care, despite facing shortages in doctors and hospital beds. The U.S. also lacks administrative efficiency, with a complex system of insurance disputes and billing practices. Lower-income individuals report being unable to afford necessary care, leading to disparities in access and treatment.
The report compares the U.S. to nine other countries, with Australia, the Netherlands, and the U.K. performing the best overall. The U.S. ranked poorly in all categories except for care process, where it ranked second. The report also points out that the U.S. had the lowest life expectancy and high rates of preventable deaths, worsened by the pandemic.
Experts suggest that universal healthcare coverage could make a significant difference in improving the U.S. healthcare system. The report includes solutions such as lowering the cost of care and expanding access to coverage to address the shortcomings identified.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com