By
- Guest Editorial
The healthcare system is important to everyone. This is how we get treated, how we find out what is causing us distress, and how we diagnose illnesses. However, the cost of these visits has become a greater financial burden for patients
Factors like the rise of new technology and higher-paying jobs have contributed to this problem
Healthcare is becoming increasingly expensive for everyday people. This creates many challenges. For example, many people cannot afford medical treatment, prescription drugs and health insurance. This delays the care they could receive for injuries or illnesses, and may lead to worse health outcomes if they delay seeking care for an extended period
This problem is only worsening as newer technologies come into the picture
The Peter G. Peterson Foundation is a nonpartisan organization that works to increase public awareness of various long-term American issues. It states: “The United States has one of the highest costs of healthcare in the world. In 2023, U.S. healthcare spending reached $4.9 trillion, which averages to $14,570 per person/”
Healthcare spending in the U.S. is higher than in other countries. This can place a heavy burden on both individuals and the healthcare system
In addition, the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), formerly known as the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, is a non-profit organization that focuses on U.S. health policy <a href="https://healthylife7.com/ohsu-secures-11m-federal-boost-for-dentistry-research/” title=”OHSU Secures $11M Federal Boost for Dentistry Research”>research, healthcare costs and insurance, and public health issues. The KFF is credible because it does not try to sell information or products to anyone and is supported purely by endowments, donations, grants, and fundraising
Shameek Rakshit, Lynne Cotter, Matt McGough, and Gary Claxton, four of the KFF’s research analysts, state, “In 2024, about 1 in 6 adults (17%) reported delaying or not getting healthcare due to cost, including those who delayed or did not get medical or mental health care and those who rationed prescription drugs due to cost. Uninsured adults and adults who are in worse health are twice as likely to report that they or a family member had difficulty paying medical bills.”
Healthcare costs directly impact the time it takes for people to be examined and receive medical treatment. Delaying treatment can allow illnesses to progress, making them more expensive to treat in later stages. This creates a never-ending cycle where people face greater financial and medical challenges as inequality increases
Healthcare costs disproportionately depend on location. Even the same procedures can cost vastly different amounts at hospitals that are only a couple of miles away from each other. The issue is aggravated by price opacity, which makes it virtually impossible for patients to learn the cost of treatment beforehand or know what expenses they will face
Without transparent pricing, patients cannot compare providers or make informed financial decisions, leaving many surprised by large medical bills
Affordable preventive care can help lower costs by catching diseases before they get expensive to treat. This involves getting people to hospitals faster and making sure they do not put off hospital visits. The Balance is a finance and banking website that focuses on explaining finance topics in a simple way for readers. It is a credible source because it provides research-based evidence to back up the topics it discusses and includes quotes from experts. The Balance says, “Four out of the five leading causes of death are caused by chronic diseases that are either preventable or likely to be manageable with regular access to health care …
“When patients have regular access to affordable preventative care, their chronic conditions are more likely to be discovered and managed.”
Most deaths are caused by chronic or treatable diseases; however, regular access to affordable preventative care can help prevent many of these deaths because it identifies and treats diseases early
Preventative care also reduces the need for emergency room visits and costly surgeries, lowering healthcare spending for both patients and the healthcare system. This leads to lower healthcare costs because diseases are less costly to treat when caught early and are easier to manage
Healthcare should be accessible to everyone and not determined by a person’s ability to pay. Addressing these issues would improve both public health and financial stability for individuals and families
Laasya Nachanally is a student at Cumberland Valley High School and a summer intern with the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg and PennLive
