FROM THE PRESIDENT by LEWIS HARGETT , MD
Health Care in the United States : How Do We Compare ?
Throughout my life , I heard my older family members discuss ways to maintain good health . They would often say good health is more precious than gold . As a practicing physician , I now understand that maintaining good health requires being proactive in one ’ s own well-being . However , there are often obstacles to achieving good health . Today , patients face many barriers to obtaining health care that affect their physical and mental well-being . This article will explore barriers that physicians and patients face to achieve good health care in the U . S . that is affected by increasing medical costs .
One of Benjamin Franklin ’ s famous quotes is , “ An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure .” This quote refers to living a healthy lifestyle . A healthy lifestyle requires taking care of your body , having a balanced diet , engaging in regular physical activity and avoiding harmful substances . A person should also have regular checkups with a provider and participate in preventive health care services . This pattern of healthy living is very important for one ’ s overall health and well-being . The U . S . health care system can benefit from advocating for preventive health care services due to the cost of chronic medical conditions .
The delivery of health care in the U . S . has become a complex system that affects providers as well as patients . For-profit insurance companies , corporate intervention , courts resolving legal disputes , evolving technology , a growing population , increased longevity , medical malpractice lawsuits : all contribute to high health care costs , health care access , health inequities and quality of care . In the future , there should be reform efforts in the U . S . health care system to guarantee health care for all its citizens , thus leading to a healthier lifestyle for patients ’ physical , mental and social well-being .
The cost of health care in the U . S . continues to increase . The 2024 Peter G . Peterson Foundation research study , How Does the U . S . Healthcare System Compare to Other Countries ? discussed the U . S . spends more on health care per capita than any other country . In 2022 , U . S . health care spending reached $ 4.5 trillion . This was 17.3 % of the U . S . GDP ( Gross Domestic Product ) and it represented an average per capita expenditure of $ 12,742 per person . It was the highest costs per capita across similar “ wealthy countries .” The next highest was Switzerland with $ 9,044 per person . The lowest per capita spending of the 12th most wealthy nations was the United Kingdom , with $ 5,424 per person .
The Peter G . Peterson Foundation further addresses reasons for the rising health care costs . They are as follows :
• The U . S . does not provide universal health care for citizens .
• Most health care in the U . S . is market-driven .
• Major employers and for-profit insurance companies have different managed care plans , deductibles and copays , with the consumer often having to pay more .
• Medicaid is funded jointly by the state and federal governments . Medicare is funded by the federal government . Both insurances can impact access due to limited providers that accept these insurances .
• The for-profit managed care companies are competing with the government to insure the elderly by offering Medicare Advantage plans .
• An increased merger of hospitals creates less competition and often results in higher costs for patient services .
• Pharmaceutical prices are higher when compared to other industrialized nations .
• The practice of “ Defensive Medicine ” is due to the threat of malpractice lawsuits .
• Medical technology continues to expand and contributes to the increasing cost of health care .
• Health care administrative costs can be up to five times higher than other industrialized countries . This can represent a cost of over $ 1,000 per person in the U . S .
In sum , the above factors are major contributors to the rising cost of health care in the U . S .
One must ask the question , does being the number one spender
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