by: Noah Gloege
National/World Editor

The United States spends more on healthcare than any other country on the planet. At the same time, many families struggle to pay their medical bills, insurance, and prescription costs. Many people are asking whether healthcare costs in America are manageable in the long term. There are several reasons healthcare costs are so high. Medical care in the U.S. often involves advanced technology, specialized doctors, and new treatments. However, since these breakthroughs save lives and improve the quality of care, they also come at a price. These costs place intense strain on families, on top of the medical decisions they must make.

The high costs of health care place financial strain on families, who delay appointments or base medical decisions on price rather than safety. For families already struggling financially, unexpected medical bills can cause unnecessary stress. Despite spending twice as much per capita on healthcare as wealthy nations of similar size, the U.S. has a lower life expectancy than those other countries. According to the health nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), data showed that just under half of U.S. adults find it difficult to afford health care costs, and about three in ten say they or a family member in their household has had problems paying for health care in the past 12 months.

However, it is also important to note that healthcare is a complex system influenced by many factors, including population health trends, chronic conditions, and aging demographics. When individuals need treatment for an ongoing condition such as diabetes or heart disease, healthcare costs naturally rise. Public health initiatives can help reduce the long-term costs of these medications, but they also require investment. According to the CDC, US healthcare spending reached 4.9 trillion dollars, averaging 14,570 dollars per person in 2023. By comparison, the average cost of healthcare per person in other countries is half that of the United States. While the COVID-19 pandemic did raise healthcare costs, spending was rising long before the pandemic. Relative to the size of the economy, healthcare costs increased from 5% of GDP in 1963 to 18% in 2023.

The U.S. does not guarantee health coverage for its citizens. Comparing the two types of healthcare, we see private and publicly funded systems. The largely private insurance system is supported by government programs. Healthcare costs are unaffordable for millions, even after healthcare reforms substantially reduced the number of uninsured Americans. The main issue is not that the healthcare provided is as advanced as it is, but whether the system delivers the actual value for the cost. Mass reform and systematic changes will be needed to bring these prices down, and while it may take many years, it will certainly be worth it. It is necessary for less privileged individuals to receive medical treatment without financial stress. If these prices continue to rise faster than wages or economic growth, individuals may find it difficult to keep up. Our local representatives and policymakers need to advocate more strongly for lower medical costs and help lead reform in the country.

Sources: (CDC, KFF, NIH, NPR)