The Game Shadow 5

The US healthcare system has both strengths and weaknesses. Here are some key facts¹:*Strengths:*- *Preventive Care*: The US performs well in preventive care, such as mammograms and flu vaccinations, due to vigorous pay-for-performance policies implemented by Medicare and other payers.- *Patient Safety*: A concerted focus on patient safety has yielded significant reductions in adverse events during hospital stays for heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, and major surgeries.- *Care Process*: The US ranks high in care process, including effective and respectful clinician-patient communication and care planning.*Weaknesses:*- *High Costs*: The US spends more on healthcare per person than any other country, with a significant portion going towards administrative costs and prescription drugs.- *Limited Access*: Despite the Affordable Care Act, 26 million Americans remain uninsured, and many more are underinsured, leading to delayed or denied care.- *Health Outcomes*: The US ranks last among developed countries in health outcomes, including life expectancy, preventable deaths, and excess deaths related to the pandemic.- *Disparities*: The US healthcare system perpetuates disparities, with certain populations facing barriers to care and poorer health outcomes.*Key Statistics:*- *Healthcare Spending*: The US spent $4.5 trillion on healthcare in 2022, accounting for 17.3% of GDP.- *Out-of-Pocket Costs*: Americans pay an average of $1,400 per year out-of-pocket for healthcare.- *Uninsured Rate*: The uninsured rate dropped from 16% in 2010 to 8% in 2022, but 26 million Americans remain uninsured.- *Life Expectancy*: Life expectancy in the US is lower than in comparable countries, with a significant gap in mortality rates.² ³Mr West Harden