uct (GDP) – the highest in the world – on health
care for its citizens. With an annual growth rate
of 3-5%, most economists warn that this expense-based
growth, if not checked, will not be
sustainable in the long run and that cumulative
deficit may even be detrimental to the whole
economy and eventually pose a national threat.
The majority of developed countries spend
8-10% of their respective GDP on health care and
deliver better outcomes on most quality domains.
In addition to being a burden to the U.S. economy,
the enormous cost of health care also has
consequences on a personal level. Rising cost
and increased deductibles (160% growth over
last 10 years) has led to financial hardship for
consumers. An estimated 30-40% of our patients
struggle to pay their health care bills. Inability to
pay hospital bills is the leading cause of personal
bankruptcy in the U.S. 3 To have meaningful impact
within a reasonable timeframe, health care
legislation and reforms are urgently needed, both
at the state and federal level. Increased consumer
awareness and appropriate provider’s activism
may be crucial to end deadlock and inertia. No
one disputes that an open and honest debate,
willingness to find common ground, and putting
patient first are keys to ending a stalemate at the
legislative level. Market forces need long-term
legislative policies as a guide and patient care
delivery needs oversight. Population segments
with adverse social determinants of health require
a long-term, multifaceted approach and social
support; these are things a market-driven capitalist
economy frequently ignores. Let there be
no doubt that we as today’s providers will very
likely be tomorrow’s consumers. Before we reach
the receiver’s end of our own health care system,
let’s do our part for a meaningful action. Yesterday
was the appropriate time. Today may not be
too late, but tomorrow definitely will be.
MAKE THE
SMART
CHOICE
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Medical Board
Legal Issues?
Call
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Darren O’Quinn
1-800-455-0581
www.DarrenOQuinn.com
Little Rock, Arkansas
Keeping Physicians In Mind
and Informed
References:
1. Moses et al. Anatomy of Health Care in the United
States. JAMA. 2013;310(18):1947-1964
2. Elner et al. Health Systems Innovation
at Academic Health Centers. Leading in
a New Era of Health Care Delivery. Academic
Medicine 2015;90(7):872-880
3. Dieleman et al. US Spending on Personal
Health Care and Public Health 1996-2013.
JAMA 2016;316(24):2627-2646
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Volume 117 • Number 2 august 2020 • 31