A recent report by the Commonwealth Fund has ranked the United States health system as the worst among 10 peer nations, despite Americans paying nearly double that of other countries. The system performed poorly in health equity, access to care, and outcomes, leading to daily challenges faced by patients, according to Dr Joseph Betancourt, president of the foundation.
However, healthcare does not seem to be a top priority for voters in the upcoming presidential election, with neither candidate proposing major reforms. Democratic nominee Kamala Harris has focused on healthcare as an economic issue, while Republican nominee Donald Trump has not made any concrete proposals for healthcare reform.
The Commonwealth Fund’s report highlights the need for the US to expand insurance coverage, improve healthcare expenses for patients, streamline insurance plans, enhance primary care and public health systems, and invest in social wellbeing.
Despite the challenges, the report suggests that improving the US health system’s standing among peer nations is possible by making meaningful changes to address health inequities and inefficiencies. Ultimately, the American electorate will have to make choices about which direction to move in to create a health system that delivers quality, affordable healthcare for all Americans.
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