A new report by The Commonwealth Fund reveals that the U.S. ranks as the worst performer in key areas of healthcare among 10 developed nations. Despite spending the most on healthcare, people in the U.S. die the youngest and experience the most avoidable deaths. The high cost of healthcare in the U.S. limits access to quality treatment for everyone, regardless of gender, income, or location.
Survey data shows that healthcare is a top priority for voters in the upcoming presidential election, with Vice President Kamala Harris advocating for building on the Affordable Care Act and former President Donald Trump providing limited details on his healthcare vision. The report highlights that the U.S. fails to get the most from its healthcare investment, with patients and families often paying high out-of-pocket costs for essential care.
The U.S. lags behind other countries in key areas such as access to care, administrative efficiency, and equity. The complex healthcare system in the U.S. leads to delays in specialty care and difficulty finding primary care physicians. Lower-income individuals often report not being able to afford necessary care, contributing to the country’s low ranking in healthcare equity.
Despite having advanced medical treatments, high-quality healthcare in the U.S. is often out of reach for many due to cost. The report suggests solutions to improve healthcare in the U.S., including lowering costs and expanding access to coverage. Experts emphasize the importance of universal healthcare coverage in improving health outcomes for all Americans.
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