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 ³


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