Collin County Living Well Magazine September/October 2018 | Page 63

Because of advanced treatments like immunotherapies for various types of cancer , and other state-of-the-art technology used for screening and medication , the U . S . has among the best cancer survival statistics in the world .
And while the subject of healthcare remains a controversial one , the fact remains that more Americans than ever have insurance coverage , with the uninsured rate at a historic low of about 9 %, according to a report by the National Center for Health Statistics . In general , Americans are optimistic about the future of health care . They have faith that innovation and medical advances will help future generations live longer , healthier lives . In fact , a public opinion survey conducted by CVS Health and Forbes found that 52 % of parents believe that their children will have better healthcare in the future .
The passage of the Affordable Care Act ( ACA ) greatly altered the conversation about healthcare in the United States . On the positive side , as mentioned previously , more Americans than ever have health insurance coverage . Now , changes in the ACA –– including the elimination of the individual mandate , which required most Americans to carry a minimum level of health coverage in order to avoid a fine –– will have an effect on both traditional carriers and employer funded plans . In an article titled “ Healthcare Trends for 2018 ,” the American Health & Drug Benefits journal identified themes that are expected to emerge with healthcare in the United States .
The public , policymakers , and industry leaders are continually looking for ways to improve the quality of care while making healthcare , particularly as it relates to chronic and serious illnesses , more affordable . The good news is , as it concerns the diagnosis and treatment of serious illnesses , the United States gets high marks . In a comparison of five other nations –– Australia , Canada , Germany , New Zealand , and the United Kingdom –– The Commonwealth Fund , a private foundation to promote a high-performing healthcare system , ranked the United States first in providing the “ right care ” for a given condition .
We also do well in the area of preventative care , which includes Pap smears and mammograms for the detection of early stage cancers , and blood tests . And while most people acknowledge that there is always room for improvement , they also believe that the care they personally receive has not changed , and are more likely to say that it has improved rather than gotten worse .
Emerging Healthcare Trends
First , the American Hospital Association has found that rural hospitals provide essential healthcare services to almost 57 million people . The emergence of new technology such as wearable health monitors , telemedicine , even smartphone apps that quickly connect people to doctors , can better serve these growing rural markets . Secondly , consumers are more engaged in making sure they are getting the best value for their money , and expect transparency and choice . This increased consumer engagement will likely influence the options and tools providers will use to help patients take ownership of their health .
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COLLIN COUNTY Living Well Magazine | SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2018
61