Running Head: Letter To The Editor
Southern New Hampshire University
Kristyn Williams
February 10, 2023
2-1 LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Healthcare Costs
The United States has the costliest healthcare system in the world and it will only get
costlier as time goes on. The rising costs of healthcare in the United States may make the
economy come to a standstill. To make sure this does not happen and ensure long term
sustainability for the economy, the health care system must improve without the costs
dramatically increasing. The United States has access to quality healthcare compared to many
other countries, but it is not necessarily the best. The United States needs to make changes in
order for healthcare to improve but not increase the cost.
Structural Costs
Compared to other countries the United States spend much more for healthcare and this
will only continue. This does not have a positive impact because it can only continue to put the
country in a greater debt. "By 2028 U.S. healthcare spending will reach $6.2 trillion and account
for almost 20% of the GDP" (Scott,2022). The U.S healthcare system relies on private insurance
provided by patients jobs, more than 70% of the population under age 65 carry private health
insurance plans. Other low-income households or individuals over the age of 65 are insured by
Medicaid and Medicare, which are programs that the government runs to those who are unable to
afford health insurance otherwise. There are still Americans that do not have any sort of health
coverage because of the rising costs of healthcare.
Political Causes
Under the Build Back Better Act, which was signed by President Biden in November of
2021, there are provisions that have the objective of lowering healthcare costs in the United
States while improving healthcare. "The Bill plans to expand health insurance coverage, reduce
2-1 LETTER TO THE EDITOR
prescription costs and make crucial investments in maternal and public health (Rapfogel et al.,
2021). Other countries that have Universal Healthcare Coverage for all which provides medical
care to everyone in that country. The political factors will increase healthcare spending within the
United States who as mentioned above relies on private and public healthcare insurance in order
for the economy to be sustainable.
Healthcare Outcomes
Effectiveness
The United States spends significantly more on healthcare compared to other countries
two years lower than the OECD average and five years lower than Switzerland, which has the
longest lifespan. In the U.S., life expectancy masks racial and ethnic disparities (Tikkanen &
Abrams, 2020). United states also has the highest suicide and obesity rates. Even though the
Unites States spends more on healthcare costs, it does not mean it is more effective than any
other country that is just as developed as other countries.
Inequalities
There are three related problems when it come to healthcare inequalities. "The first
involves disparities in health itself, rates of asthmas, diabetes, heart disease, drug abuse.
violence, etc. The seconds involves disparities in care, including access to care, doctors,