Editor-in-Chief
There are numerous issues Americans do not agree on, but if you ask someone on the street if they are satisfied with the healthcare system, you almost certainly will receive a resounding “no.” In a Gallup poll, 51% of Americans without health insurance cited cost or lack of employer coverage as the main factor keeping them from purchasing it. While there are multiple problems with the American healthcare system, one prevailing issue is the lack of focus on preventive care. Prioritizing preventive care over reactive care promotes wider access and lowers costs, one of the most substantial barriers to entry for the majority of Americans. Additionally, it leads to better long term health outcomes. Healthcare should place more emphasis on preventive treatments over reactive ones, and the industry should allocate more funding toward primary care.
Quality healthcare is less affordable than ever. Another Gallup poll found that 82% of Americans were unsatisfied with the total cost of healthcare, with 60% concerned they would not be able to afford their medical costs in the event of a serious illness or accident. With such a significant portion of the public lacking stability, it is crucial to reduce costs wherever possible. This is feasible by prioritizing primary care. An article from the American Medical Association (AMA) states that preventive care “narrow[s] the scope and invasiveness of treatment plans and lower[s] the total cost of treating serious illnesses over the course of patients’ lives.” Preemptive care not only helps prevent unnecessary costs for the patient, but also catches problematic signals early, making those patients more likely to thrive.
While it is widely acknowledged that preventive health care is cost-effective and beneficial to long-term outcomes, the industry still funnels most resources to disease management with a comparatively small amount left for primary services. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), “90% of the nation’s $5.3 trillion in annual health care expenditures are for people with chronic and mental health conditions.” In contrast, only around 3-5% is allocated for preventive measures. There is certainly a place for reactive care, but it is illogical for these trends to continue.
The healthcare industry should redirect more funding toward preventive care. To encourage this, the government should shift its compensation for providers to reward lowering total community illness rather than by treatment volume. This would incentivize the long-term health benefits of primary care over the retention of reactive care.
Additionally, providers should prioritize educating their customers on the efficacy of primary care. By utilizing simple and cost-effective tests like physicals, mammograms, and colonoscopies, patients can catch problematic signals early and prevent more perilous conditions.
(Sources: AMA, CMS, Gallup, NAFCC, NIH)