March 3rd 2024.
Dr. Jerome Adams, a former United States Surgeon General and current Purdue University Health Equity Initiatives Director, recently went through a frustrating experience with America's healthcare system. He received a bill from an ER facility totaling $4,896.43 for treatment for dehydration, and it left him outraged.
According to Fortune, Adams was charged this hefty amount for just three IV bags and one lab test. Despite having insurance, he was still faced with a substantial bill, which prompted him to express his frustration on social media. "Yes folks. THIS is America. Land of the free, and home of the medical bankruptcy," he wrote on Twitter/X. He also shared that he had opted for a payment plan to help cover the cost.
In an interview with Business Insider, Adams elaborated on his post, stating that even with his knowledge, financial resources, and platform, he still struggled with the system. He believes that if someone like him, in his income bracket, was faced with such a situation, the average person would stand no chance. "The system is just broken," he added.
Adams also pointed out that there are many flaws in the system that can lead to individuals going into debt, ruining their credit, or having to make difficult choices. As a father of three high schoolers and two college-bound children, he understands the pressure of balancing medical bills and tuition expenses. He expressed that if he were not in his income bracket, he would have to choose between paying his medical bills or his children's education.
This issue of affordable healthcare in America was recently highlighted in a poll conducted by KFF on March 1. Half of American adults surveyed stated that healthcare is difficult to afford, and one in four reported difficulty in paying for healthcare in the past year. The poll also revealed that the uninsured, low-income individuals, and Black or Latinx adults are the most concerned about rising healthcare costs.
According to a New York Times article published as part of Nikole Hannah Jones's The 1619 Project, one major reason why America has not adopted a single-payer system is due to racism. The article traces the history of American healthcare policy and highlights the built-in disparities between Black and white individuals. Harvard University historian Evelynn Hammonds stated that there has never been a period in American history where the health of Black individuals was equal to that of white individuals. While the Affordable Healthcare Act helped in some ways, it did not completely eliminate these disparities.
For years, progressive politicians have been advocating for a single-payer healthcare system, but Axios warns that the opportunity for sweeping changes is quickly closing. Democratic political strategist Chris Jennings explained that the current political landscape does not allow for major policy shifts. He suggests that instead of doing nothing, it is important to take small steps and lay the foundation for larger progress in the future.
Jennings also emphasized the need for the Democratic Party to take action in making healthcare coverage more affordable for the average American. He believes that while these changes may not be significant in terms of policy design, they are still meaningful in fulfilling the long-standing commitment of the party to provide accessible and affordable healthcare for all Americans.
In addition to the issues related to the cost of healthcare, a recent survey showed that nearly half of healthcare workers have witnessed discrimination in the industry. This highlights the need for not only addressing the financial aspect of healthcare but also addressing underlying issues of discrimination and inequality within the system.
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