The Affordable Care Act was supposed to be a game-changer for American healthcare. Yet, a decade later, we’re facing a stark reality: nearly half of Americans are struggling to pay for medical treatment or prescription drugs. This troubling trend, revealed in a recent Gallup and West Health study, paints a picture of a system that’s failing to deliver on its promises.
Let’s break it down. Americans are shelling out an average of $12,555 per person each year on healthcare. That’s almost double what people in other developed countries pay. But are we getting our money’s worth? According to 94% of those surveyed, the answer is a resounding “no.”
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Tim Lash, president of West Health, puts it bluntly: “We see individuals and families making decisions that no one should have to make, from, ‘Should I go on vacation or do I pay for health care and medication,’ or at the worst, ‘How do I ration my food to afford my prescriptions?'”
He adds, “As the wealthiest and most developed country, that’s not where we should be.”
The study reveals some alarming statistics:
- 45% of Americans have recently skipped treatment or medicine due to cost or access issues.
- 8% are considered “cost desperate,” meaning they can’t afford care even if they need it today.
- Only 55% of Americans are “cost secure,” down from 61% in 2022.
What’s driving this decline in affordability? It’s a perfect storm of factors: rising inflation, higher insurance deductibles, and less comprehensive coverage. The average family deductible has shot up from $2,500 in 2013 to $3,800 in 2022. That’s a hefty increase in out-of-pocket expenses before insurance even kicks in.
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But it’s not just about the numbers. Real people are facing real consequences. Some are forced to choose between paying for healthcare and putting food on the table. Others are battling insurance companies that seem more focused on denials than on providing care.
Take the recent protests outside UnitedHealthcare headquarters. Demonstrators accused the company of routinely denying care through prior authorization and claim denials.
Aija Nemer-Aanerud from the People’s Action Institute didn’t mince words: “Health insurance coverage has expanded in America, but we are finding it is private health insurance corporations themselves that are often the largest barrier for people to receive the care they and their doctor agree they need.”
The burden isn’t shared equally, either. Black and Hispanic Americans are more likely to face affordability issues. And those aged 50-64 – too young for Medicare but old enough to have increasing health needs – are caught in a particularly tough spot.
It’s clear that the Affordable Care Act, despite its intentions, hasn’t solved our healthcare crisis. If anything, it’s underscored how deeply rooted our problems are. We’re spending more than ever, but getting less in return. Our system is complex, inefficient, and often seems designed to benefit insurers more than patients.
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It’s high time for Congress to step up and pass real health reform. We need a system that truly puts patients first, controls costs, and ensures that no American has to choose between their health and their financial stability. The current situation is unsustainable and, frankly, un-American.
