U.S HEALTH SYSTEM

U.S Health System

Historical development of health care delivery systems in the U.S

Introduction

Concern about the state of the American health care system ranks consistently among the top three issues that the American public wants policymakers to address. Its prominence only increases as economic insecurity continues to grow. The gaps in coverage, the high cost of insurance, and the quality of care that consumers receive are the most frequently cited problems.

More than 45 million Americans do not have health insurance, for reasons related to the cost of coverage, availability of employer-based coverage, individual priorities, and access barriers in the individual market, such as medical underwriting.2 Lack of health insurance leads to health care that is often too little and too late, with serious health consequences as a result. And many people have insurance that is manifestly inadequate because it either lacks coverage for key services such as prescription drugs or is accompanied by steep copayments and deductibles. The number of underinsured, or those with insurance that fails to protect them from high health expenses, has risen by 60 percent since 2003.3

The cost of health care, which contributes to unaffordable and inadequate coverage, adversely affects not only individuals, but the economy. Consumers face onerous out-of-pocket expenses for care, adding yet another burden to illness. At the same time, health care costs have steadily claimed a larger share of the economy, now comprising 16 percent of the gross domestic tic product, and still rising at a rate at least twice that of general inflation.4 Some of the most crucial consequences are aggravated federal deficits, threats to the Medicare Trust Fund, medical debt-induced bankruptcy, and perceived barriers to global competitiveness of American companies.

Compounding the access and cost problems are acute concerns about the quality of health care. One comprehensive study following almost 7,000 patients over a two-year period found that they received only 54 percent of the care scientifically recommended for their conditions.5 The Institute of Medicine estimates that roughly 100,000 deaths per year result from errors and injuries to patients in hospital care.6 Disparities in the effectiveness and quality of care delivered across racial and ethnic groups continue to grow. The United States also lags behind other nations and most other industries in the use of information technologies, organizational design, and other systems that can reduce errors and improve quality.

Perhaps the most disturbing statistics relate to our population health. Despite spending the most in the world on health care—a projected $7,868 per capita in 20088—we consistently rank behind other nations in infant mortality and life expectancy. Stated simply, our population health and health care systems are failing.

Discussion

The delivery of the U.S. healthcare system has changed drastically over the years from the inception of organized healthcare to today's underdeveloped system. Prior to the 1920's, most Americans would only seek medical attention to treat chronic illnesses which would shortly result in death. Hospital centers were scarce and early patients were mostly treated by private physicians in their ...