Health Care’s Flaws: By Design, Not Accident

The U.S. healthcare system faces persistent issues of high costs and inequities. This isn’t a coincidence, but rather the outcome of systemic design choices, as revealed by recent reports.

Systemic Dysfunctions

The existing U.S. healthcare system, riddled with high expenses and malfunctioning processes, is operating as intended, as some experts suggest. Its structure is deeply entrenched, affecting patients and professionals alike. A closer look at the system reveals how its current state is a product of decisions and priorities.

I just released an article! Here’s an excerpt: “The American healthcare system wasn’t designed to provide healthcare. It was designed to generate wealth. And in that regard, it’s working exactly as intended.”

— Person Name (@twitterhandle) March 1, 2024

“The healthcare system was not designed to supply healthcare. It was made to generate wealth. It is working as intended in that regard,” one expert explains.

—Expert Name, Title

Healthcare spending in the U.S. reached $4.5 trillion in 2022, or $13,493 per person, yet outcomes lag compared to other developed nations (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2024).

Proposed Solutions

Some propose that improving the patient’s role is key, emphasizing empowerment over bureaucratic control. Suggestions include approaches aimed at minimizing expenditures within the healthcare setup.

Ultimately, addressing the core issues requires a broad rethink of priorities, aiming for a system that prioritizes effective and equitable patient care, and less on financial gains.