By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    What Are the Benefits of CBD?
    November 27, 2021
    How to Measure Adult Diapers- The Ultimate Guide to Picking the Right Size
    March 8, 2022
    medicine cabinet
    The Effect Of Finished Dosage Form Manufacturing In New Drugs
    July 5, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Robots Are Being Programmed To Perform Spine Surgeries
    November 25, 2019
    wall street journal health policy
    Wall Street Journal Shames Itself with Health Policy Coverage
    January 1, 2014
    senior living communities
    HealthKeeperz President Reflects on 50 Years of Healthcare
    October 9, 2022
    Latest News
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: America’s High Cost Healthcare Problem
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Business > Finance > America’s High Cost Healthcare Problem
BusinessFinanceHealth ReformPolicy & Law

America’s High Cost Healthcare Problem

DanyellJones
DanyellJones
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

When it comes to healthcare in America, it is no secret that our system requires profound change.  Currently America has a high cost healthcare problem. Healthcare costs have been increasing dramatically and substantially for years.  Current healthcare spending has reached a rate which is unsustainable. 

When it comes to healthcare in America, it is no secret that our system requires profound change.  Currently America has a high cost healthcare problem. Healthcare costs have been increasing dramatically and substantially for years.  Current healthcare spending has reached a rate which is unsustainable. 

According to the CDC “U.S. health care spending grew 5.3 percent in 2014, reaching $3.0 trillion or $9,523 per person.  As a share of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, health spending accounted for 17.5 percent.”

Some estimate this number to be even higher.  For instance, according to a recent review by the Kaiser Family Foundation as much as 23% of the Federal budget is spent on healthcare.  More than defense spending, nearly as much as social security, and vastly more than non-defense discretionary spending.

gdp healthcare

More Read

When It’s An Emergency Elderly Not Treated As Well in Hospitals
Patient Engagement Explored at the ePharma Summit
Reducing Health Care Costs: Let’s Try What Has Worked
Apple investors say iPhones cause teen depression. Science doesn’t
Health Disparities Still Problematic

The high cost of healthcare in the U.S. is even more problematic, as additional research shows that we are getting very little for the amount of money we are spending.

According to a recent report published by The Commonwealth Fund:

“Out of the top thirteen high-income countries in the world, not only does the United States spend significantly more on healthcare, but also despite significantly higher spending, reports poor health outcomes across multiple key health measures.” 

Here are some troubling statistics about the high cost of healthcare:

  • The U.S. reports the highest per capita spending on healthcare out of all examined countries, with $9,086 spend per person on average on care annually
  • Additionally, this high cost of care is reflected by the second highest out of pocket healthcare expenses of all studies countries, with the average American spending $1,074 per year on co-pays and deductibles
  • Despite this significant spending, Americans see the doctor less often than individuals in other countries, and have access to fewer practicing physicians and fewer hospital beds.

Finally, health care costs in general are significantly higher than in other countries.  For example, the average cost of bypass surgery in the U.S. was $75,345, which is $30,000 higher than the next highest country – Australia – where the same procedure costs $42,130

With significantly more spending, you might assume that the U.S. population was healthier than those in other comparative countries.

Think again.

The United States ranks among the worst across several areas in comparison to other countries studied. Not only does America have a high cost healthcare problem, but a low quality healthcare problem as well.

As identified in the issue brief released by the Common Wealth Fund:

  • The U.S. has the lowest overall life expectancy at birth, with the average life expectancy reported to be 78.8 years – versus a median expectancy of 81.2 years
  • The U.S. reports the highest percentage of the population over the age of 65 with two or more chronic conditions, with 68% of the population in this age range suffering from two or more chronic conditions
  • The U.S. also reports the highest infant mortality rate of the countries studied, with a 6.1 mortality rate per 1,000 live births – nearly double the median rate of 3.5

We cannot outspend the current healthcare problems in the United States, and cost reduction measures alone would only serve to erode the quality of care even further.

A careful balance between the cost of healthcare and the quality of health outcomes much be achieved in order to improve the American healthcare system, and eliminate America’s high cost healthcare problem.

DocResponse is working toward solving healthcare’s problems by helping to decrease unnecessary utilization, providing preventive recommendations to help keep people healthy, and providing free diagnostic tools so that American’s can avoid going to the emergency room when it isn’t necessary.

Do you have an opinion about America’s High Cost Healthcare Problem? We would love to hear it.  Please share with us in the comments below or on social!

The post America’s High Cost Healthcare Problem appeared first on DocResponse: The World’s Most Accurate Symptom Checker.

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Health Tips For Women
Top 5 Health Tips For Women Over 45
Women Health
July 7, 2025
car accident lawsuit
Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
Policy & Law
July 6, 2025
women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025

You Might also Like

Image
Business

Collaborative Physician Development

April 20, 2015
health works collective affordable health care act
Health ReformPolicy & Law

Medicaid Expansion Under the Affordable Care Act: The “Before” Picture

April 5, 2013
image credit: Alec
BusinessHealth Reform

Medicine Has a Major Image Problem

February 13, 2013

CMS and Transitional Care Management Reimbursement Expansion

January 20, 2014
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?