So U.S. healthcare spending is 18% of GDP, nearly double the percentage of what other developed nations spend, and still they have a system that offers next to nothing for millions of people. Around 8% of Americans are uninsured (26 million people as of 2023).  Some people who are in accidents refuse offers of calling an ambulance because they can't afford the bill?! To a person who's grown up in a country where that was never, ever an issue this is mind-blowing.

 

I asked Grok (AI) the following question:

"Why is the US healthcare system such a complete mess?"*, and it listed several factors it believes contributes:

 

- It’s a patchwork of competing interests, misaligned incentives, and historical accidents.

- Private insurers, hospitals, and providers prioritize profit over care, driving up costs.

- Administrative costs eat up 8% of healthcare dollars (vs. 1-3% in peer countries).

- The fee-for-service model rewards volume over quality, leading to overtreatment and inefficiency.

- Employers tie insurance to jobs, limiting choice and portability.

- Medicare and Medicaid are underfunded and complex, leaving gaps for the poor and elderly.

- Historical resistance to universal systems, like those in Canada or the EU, stems from lobbying by insurance and pharma giants, plus a cultural aversion to "socialized" medicine.

- Opaque pricing: a simple procedure can cost $500 or $5,000 with no clear reason.

 

No wonder life expectancy in the US is the lowest of all Western nations, (excluding Easter Europe), Japan, South-Korea, Anzac. And, there seems to be no one who can offer a solution to the problem(s)!

 

 

 

 

 

* Leading question? Is anyone actually gonna argues it's not a mess?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To the title ...

... ACA - ObamaCare 🤬 

Sad that people refuse universal healthcare because it is "socialist" without realizing that by that measure, so is the military, the police, roads, fire service and so on. Premiums paid to health insurance are pooled anyway to pay some people for expensive treatment, e.g. heart transplants. That pretty much is what EU members do, pay premiums via tax and pool the money to pay for some very expensive procedures. 

 

 

It's because the rich have excellent private health care. And the health care is massively expensive as doctors in the US demand top dollar, so given the population of the US it's a bit harder to offer quality universal health care than in the Netherlands.

 

 

The US is the only developed nation in the world that doesn’t give all of its citizens access to basic, affordable healthcare services. 

Why is the US healthcare system such a complete mess?

 

Big Pharma !

The ACA had really taken it’s toll, but as far as I’m concerned, healthcare in the US is the best in the world. 

 

 

3 minutes ago, johng said:

Why is the US healthcare system such a complete mess?

 

Big Pharma !

Big pharma saved my life twice, my wife’s life ans my premature son’s life.

It works for me, my family, and my friends.

1 minute ago, Yagoda said:

It works for me, my family, and my friends.

It’s only considered a mess because the left needs it to be a mess.

1 minute ago, mogandave said:

Big pharma saved my life twice, my wife’s life ans my premature son’s life.

Safe and effective ™  ®  ©

 

20 minutes ago, retayl said:

The US is the only developed nation in the world that doesn’t give all of its citizens access to basic, affordable healthcare services. 

Incorrect, everyone has healthcare in USA.  If you can't afford it, it's provided, or was when I left in 2000.

Countries that have healthcare are more socialist and people pay much higher taxes.

 

6 minutes ago, mogandave said:

The ACA had really taken it’s toll, but as far as I’m concerned, healthcare in the US is the best in the world. 

 

It can be, but with all 'services', one needs to do their research.   I had back back surgery, excellent results, BUT, did have choice of 2 surgeons, one excellent, one, not so good.   Every surgery he performed was a failure, with everyone he sliced & diced.   Yea, I chose wisely, after minimal research.  How he is still practicing is a wonder.

 

They also saved my life, when I was 12 yrs old, appendix burst, and not a simple procedure back then, with good results, as it is today.   Also saved my eyesight, even younger with a mishap.

4 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Incorrect, everyone has healthcare in USA.  If you can't afford it, it's provided, or was when I left in 2000.

Not everyone has access to healthcare in the US. After 65 you'll get Medicare, but if you aren't covered, you have to go to a public hospital and pay, or get billed if you don't have money on you when you go. Most are covered, but millions still aren't. Some who have insurance have plans that don't cover everything. The US should be like other countries, so that's one thing Trump needs to work on.

1 minute ago, save the frogs said:

Countries that have healthcare are more socialist and people pay much higher taxes.

 

With a lesser standard of care and loonger wait times.

1 minute ago, fredwiggy said:

Not everyone has access to healthcare in the US. After 65 you'll get Medicare, but if you aren't covered, you have to go to a public hospital and pay, or get billed if you don't have money on you when you go. Most are covered, but millions still aren't. Some who have insurance have plans that don't cover everything. The US should be like other countries, so that's one thing Trump needs to work on.

Nobody needs to pay except their deductibles. Too much, its written off.

1 minute ago, fredwiggy said:

Most are covered, but millions still aren't. Some who have insurance have plans that don't cover everything. The US should be like other countries, so that's one thing Trump needs to work on.

Thanks to ACA ... as so much better before.   There's 'state / federal' welfare programs for those that can't afford healthcare, or was, when I was there.  No many (since a slum lord) that used it.

 

Part of 'socialist' USA, that kind of works, as some really do need help.   Assuming a lot more, since 2000.

45 minutes ago, Purdey said:

Sad that people refuse universal healthcare because it is "socialist" without realizing that by that measure, so is the military, the police, roads, fire service and so on. Premiums paid to health insurance are pooled anyway to pay some people for expensive treatment, e.g. heart transplants. That pretty much is what EU members do, pay premiums via tax and pool the money to pay for some very expensive procedures. 

 

 

Those arent "Socialist" programs. Bernie for sure isnt a real Socialist.

13 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Not everyone has access to healthcare in the US. After 65 you'll get Medicare, but if you aren't covered, you have to go to a public hospital and pay, or get billed if you don't have money on you when you go. Most are covered, but millions still aren't. Some who have insurance have plans that don't cover everything. The US should be like other countries, so that's one thing Trump needs to work on.

TACO Trump’s had the 'concept of a plan' for a decade now — and it’s still only two weeks away.

2 minutes ago, LosLobo said:

TACO Trump’s had the 'concept of a plan' for a decade now — and it’s still only two weeks away.

That one thing would have me see him differently. Helping out the average American. 

Health industry lobbyists.

Socialism-phobia.

Under the maga fascists there now seems to be a more conscious and active agenda to kill off poor and sick people by kicking off many millions from health care access. 

14 minutes ago, LosLobo said:

TACO Trump’s had the 'concept of a plan' for a decade now — and it’s still only two weeks away.

Getting it back to where it was before the ACA woukd be a great start.

1 hour ago, johng said:

Why is the US healthcare system such a complete mess?

 

Big Pharma !

 

So is that unfixable?

sweden is also <deleted>ty healthcare where many fall through the net, not least myself

Does universal health care mean I can't keep my good blue cross/blue shield international insurance?  

 

Does universal health care mean that I will get the same health care as the illegals and criminals and well fare recipients?

 

Does universal health care mean the gov will decide if I'm viable enough for costly surgery?

The health care in Canada is tip top. Once I get my appointment to see the doctor in 14 months I should start feeling better.

1 hour ago, mogandave said:

The ACA had really taken it’s toll, but as far as I’m concerned, healthcare in the US is the best in the world for those who can afford it. 

Fixed it for you.     

10 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Does universal health care mean I can't keep my good blue cross/blue shield international insurance?  

 

Does universal health care mean that I will get the same health care as the illegals and criminals and well fare recipients?

 

Does universal health care mean the gov will decide if I'm viable enough for costly surgery?

Yes, you can keep your Blue Cross/Shield private healthcare, whatever

You get the same health care as a CEO

The gov has nothing to do with deciding who gets health care. Everyone who needs surgery gets it for free.

 

Why do you think you should be bankrupted to get healthcare?

 

 

 

36 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Health industry lobbyists.

Socialism-phobia.

Under the maga fascists there now seems to be a more conscious and active agenda to kill off poor and sick people by kicking off many millions from health care access. 

As many of those poor and sick undoubtedly are MAGA voters there is a sliver lining here.