A recent report by The Commonwealth Fund has found that the health system in the U.S. is failing, ranking the country as the worst performer among 10 developed nations. The U.S. falls short in areas such as preventing deaths, access to care due to high costs, and ensuring quality treatment for everyone, regardless of gender, income, or location. Despite spending nearly twice as much on health care as other countries, the U.S. experiences the most avoidable deaths and lowest life expectancy.
Vice President Kamala Harris has proposed building on the Affordable Care Act, while former President Donald Trump has given little detail on his health care vision. The report highlights the excessive out-of-pocket costs for essential health care in the U.S., which does not translate to superior care. The country also lacks an adequate number of doctors and hospital beds, resulting in long wait times and difficulty finding primary care physicians.
The U.S. ranks poorly in access to care, administrative efficiency, equity, and health outcomes compared to other countries. The complex insurance system and high out-of-pocket requirements contribute to the country’s administrative inefficiency. Lower-income individuals struggle to afford necessary care, leading to high rates of preventable deaths.
The report suggests solutions to improve the U.S. health care system, including reducing costs and expanding access to coverage. The findings emphasize the need for change in the U.S. health care system to address disparities in care and ensure better health outcomes for all Americans.
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