The Rising Expense of Healthcare
The expense of health care in the United States has significantly risen in recent years. The expansion may be traced back to the 1980s. Spending is increasing at such a rapid pace that it is exceeding economic growth in the United States. Healthcare spending per person has increased significantly. Despite enormous spending, the population is not improving in terms of greater health and longer life. In comparison to other OECD countries, the United States has a low health insurance rate of 85 percent. The United States had the lowest insured rate as per the year 2012 of all the OECD countries. The report of delays in healthcare delivery has stagnated as of 2013 as it was in the late 20th century. The adult population have reported having difficulties in accessing healthcare.
The Need for Healthcare Reforms
The need to reform the healthcare sector is triggered by the anticipation of people to get more coverage to the healthcare systems. The need for the system to meet the population’s demand for health services stimulated the reform processes. Particular concern was the scarcity of physicians and the gross regional disparities in the offering of quality healthcare services. Various other concerns was the need of a healthcare system that offer that are appropriate clinically and decisive at the same time. In essence, the healthcare system should be able to provide effective or even better results with little financial input by the patients. Life expectancy is also a point of concern. The life expectancy is expected to be at par with other OECD countries if not better. In 1980, the United States was seen to have nearly the same life expectancy, at 74 years, with other developed countries. However, as other countries tend to improve, in the U.S, it is stagnating.
The U.S Healthcare System: Is it Enough?
The big question is, does the United States doing enough to improve the healthcare sector?
Reference
Levitt, L., Claxton, G., Cox, C., Gonzales, S., & Kamal, R. (2014). Assessing the performance of the U.S. health system - Peterson-Kaiser Health System Tracker. Peterson-Kaiser Health System Tracker https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/brief/assessing-the-cost-and-performance-of-the-u-s-health-system/#item-start
