A staggering number of Americans do not have adequate access to healthcare and cannot afford to go to the doctor. According to data from the Commonwealth Fund, in 2020 over 30 million Americans were uninsured, equating to nearly 10% of the population under age 65. On top of those without any insurance coverage, there are many more who are underinsured, meaning they have unaffordable deductibles or out-of-pocket costs that prevent them from actually using their insurance and getting the care they need. The high costs of healthcare coupled with inadequate insurance prevent millions of Americans across all demographics from being able to afford doctor visits, medications, treatments, and other necessary medical services. This has significant impacts on public health, financial stability, and health equity.
Key Statistics on Healthcare Affordability in America
Here are some key statistics that demonstrate the scope of the problem when it comes to healthcare affordability and access to doctors in America:
- In 2020, 30.2 million Americans under age 65, or 9.7% of the population, were uninsured according to Commonwealth Fund data.
- Lack of insurance disproportionately impacts people of color and those with lower incomes. Over 17% of Hispanic Americans and 11% of Black Americans were uninsured in 2020.
- Over 40% of uninsured adults reported not seeing a doctor in the past year due to costs compared to only 10% of insured adults according to a Gallup-West Health survey.
- Nearly 40% of insured adults under age 65 are considered underinsured, with high out-of-pocket costs and deductibles that make using their insurance difficult.
- Over 25% of insured adults reported having trouble affording medical bills in the past year, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll.
- 1 in 4 Americans say they or a family member have delayed medical care in the past year due to cost.
- Americans borrow an estimated $88 billion per year to pay for healthcare according to studies in the American Journal of Public Health.
This data illustrates the dire position many Americans find themselves in when it comes to affording a trip to the doctor’s office. Millions go without any insurance at all, while many who are insured face unaffordable co-pays, premiums, and deductibles. This leads to delayed medical care, growing medical debt, and worse health outcomes.
Why is Healthcare so Unaffordable in America?
There are a number of complex factors that contribute to the exorbitant costs of healthcare in America compared to other developed countries.
High Administrative Costs
The United States’ multi-payer health insurance system leads to huge administrative costs, with many different private insurers all processing claims, setting rates, and seeking profits. Administrative costs account for around 25% of total US healthcare spending compared to less than 15% in Canada’s single-payer system.
Lack of Pricing Regulation
There is little regulation around healthcare pricing in America, allowing charges to balloon. From hospital stays to prescription drugs, providers can largely set their own high prices compared to more regulated healthcare systems.
Expensive Technology
The US healthcare system encourages and quickly adopts expensive new technologies, specialist treatments, and cutting-edge drugs. Costs are high and not adequately balanced with the marginal health benefits.
Chronic Disease Prevalence
Chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes are more prevalent in America compared to other countries. Treating these lifelong diseases contributes to higher per-capita spending.
Aging Population
America’s aging population means more expensive treatments for chronic age-related conditions like dementia. Healthcare consumption rises with age, driving up per-person costs.
These systemic factors combine to make visiting the doctor prohibitively expensive for millions of Americans each year.
Impacts of Unaffordable Healthcare
When Americans cannot afford to access medical care and see a doctor, it has dramatic effects on health, financial stability, and equity across society.
Worse Health Outcomes
Lack of preventative care and delayed treatment due to costs lead to increased mortality and morbidity from treatable conditions. Americans have lower life expectancy and higher chronic disease rates than peer countries.
Financial Hardship
Unaffordable care leads to medical debt from unpaid bills, representing over half of all debt that goes to collections agencies. High premiums also strain family budgets.
Entrenching Inequality
Income, race, and geographic disparities in healthcare access are exacerbated. Lower-income families face higher barriers to care. The uninsured rate is nearly 3 times higher in states that have not expanded Medicaid.
Economic Drag
Poor health outcomes and medical debt drag on economic productivity. High insurance costs are also passed to employees, impeding private sector growth and global competitiveness.
The human costs of unaffordable healthcare and financial barriers to seeing doctors in America are enormous. It strains family finances, worsens health, and entrenches income inequality.
Solutions to Increase Healthcare Affordability
Major reforms are needed to curb runaway healthcare costs and make seeing a doctor financially accessible for all Americans. Here are some potential solutions:
Universal Public Coverage
A universal public health insurance program, like Medicare for All, would provide guaranteed coverage while significantly cutting administrative overhead. Most peer countries employ some form of universal public insurance.
Price Controls
Implementing regulation around maximum charges for healthcare services, prescription drugs, and medical technology could restrain price inflation.
Tax-Advantaged Accounts
Expanding access to tax-free Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts provides a way for Americans to save for medical expenses tax-free.
Lower-Cost Community Clinics
Investing in low-cost community health centers and free clinics in underserved areas expands access points outside the expensive healthcare system.
Telemedicine Expansion
Increasing access to remote doctor consultations via phone or video visits improves convenience and lowers costs for minor conditions.
These proposals would improve affordability and move America towards universal access to doctors and medical care.
Conclusion
America’s high healthcare costs and insurance gaps leave tens of millions struggling to afford visits to the doctor or critical treatments. Lack of access leads to worse health outcomes and financial hardship. Major reforms are needed to control costs and ensure equitable, affordable healthcare access for all Americans. Investing in innovative solutions today is vital to building a healthier and more prosperous society.