Why is Healthcare in America more expensive than other countries even though the quality is worse
U.S. healthcare is more expensive due to higher prices for services, drugs, and salaries, driven by less regulation, complex administration (waste), hospital consolidation (less competition), and a focus on high-tech, fee-for-service care rather than prevention, leading to worse overall population health outcomes compared to other wealthy nations that control costs better. While quality of care once you're sick can be high in the U.S., systemic issues mean higher spending doesn't translate to better national health or access, say Harvard and KFF experts.
Key Reasons for High Costs
Higher Prices: The U.S. pays much more for the same services, drugs, and even doctor salaries than other countries.
Administrative Waste: A complex, multi-payer system (private insurance, Medicare, etc.) creates massive bureaucracy and billing costs.
Lack of Price Regulation: Unlike other nations where governments negotiate drug/service prices, the U.S. largely lets the market set them, allowing for huge markups, especially for pharmaceuticals.
Hospital Consolidation: Mergers between hospitals and provider groups reduce competition, giving them power to charge more.
Fee-for-Service Model: Doctors and hospitals are paid for each service, encouraging more tests, procedures, and technology, rather than preventive care.
Tech & Innovation Costs: High adoption of advanced tech (MRIs, PET scans) and new drugs drives up spending.
Why Outcomes Aren't Better:
Less Focus on Prevention: The system prioritizes treating illness over keeping people healthy, as noted by Quora users
Access Issues: Despite high spending, many Americans have trouble seeing doctors or getting timely care, with fewer physicians per capita than peers.
Poor Population Health: The U.S. has worse health outcomes (like lower life expectancy) than many high-income countries, even with higher spending.
In essence, the U.S. pays premium prices for a fragmented system that doesn't deliver superior overall health, focusing more on high-cost interventions than basic, preventative care.
Your thoughts on how to make it better??
Key Reasons for High Costs
Higher Prices: The U.S. pays much more for the same services, drugs, and even doctor salaries than other countries.
Administrative Waste: A complex, multi-payer system (private insurance, Medicare, etc.) creates massive bureaucracy and billing costs.
Lack of Price Regulation: Unlike other nations where governments negotiate drug/service prices, the U.S. largely lets the market set them, allowing for huge markups, especially for pharmaceuticals.
Hospital Consolidation: Mergers between hospitals and provider groups reduce competition, giving them power to charge more.
Fee-for-Service Model: Doctors and hospitals are paid for each service, encouraging more tests, procedures, and technology, rather than preventive care.
Tech & Innovation Costs: High adoption of advanced tech (MRIs, PET scans) and new drugs drives up spending.
Why Outcomes Aren't Better:
Less Focus on Prevention: The system prioritizes treating illness over keeping people healthy, as noted by Quora users
Access Issues: Despite high spending, many Americans have trouble seeing doctors or getting timely care, with fewer physicians per capita than peers.
Poor Population Health: The U.S. has worse health outcomes (like lower life expectancy) than many high-income countries, even with higher spending.
In essence, the U.S. pays premium prices for a fragmented system that doesn't deliver superior overall health, focusing more on high-cost interventions than basic, preventative care.
Your thoughts on how to make it better??
