CEO’s killing reveals antipathy toward insurers, but whole health system incurs ill feeling • Arkansas Advocate

The U.S. health care system still has a lot of room for improvement.

it is complex, fragmented, complicated and confusing. Experts have also suggested quality concernsand inequality is widespread. And of course it is excessively expensive – much more so than other developed countries. Given these failures, it is clear that Americans dissatisfied with the medical system.

as public reaction The killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has revealed that many Americans are probably most upset about their health insurance companies. surely, Only 31% of Americans have a favorable view. According to the 2024 study, the health insurance industry has the following percentages:

However, given recent tragic events, health policy scholarI think it would be wise to take a step back and reflect on the broader health care system and how the United States got to this point.

Many causes of dissatisfaction in healthcare

There are very few people with personal experience or expertise who can explain health care in the United States. As the gold standard for medical systems.

For many historical and political reasons, this is hardly a “system” but a complex patchwork that includes a myriad of different approaches to covering health care costs. Individuals, Employers, Governments.

Government is also widespread Regulate health and healthcare And although its role has diminished today, Act as a provider of care through state and county hospitals and the Veterans Health Administration.

The result is A collection of regulations made up of countless organizations. of Amendment to the Affordable Care Act It simply adds another layer of laws and regulations to an already complex framework.

But even beyond this general structure, Americans face many challenges. surely, No other healthcare system in the world is as expensive as this one.. Although medical expenses will be incurred, Management costs are also very high. Pharmaceuticals are just one example. The excessive economic burden that Americans are burdened with.

For many Americans, these costs are too high, It is estimated that there are 530,000 medical bankruptcies annually..

And despite its high price, concerns still remain. quality and access.

Additionally, the system tends to: It’s very unfair and there are countless disparities. This makes it difficult for many poor, rural, nonwhite Americans to access care.

The role of insurance companies

In America, insurance companies play an important role Connecting and sometimes disconnecting patients from the care they need.

They are also on the front lines of many of the toughest frustrations Americans experience. Even if it’s not your direct responsibility. Meanwhile, healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies charge the highest prices in the worldIt is usually up to the insurance company to tell the patient how much they still have to pay or that the treatment will not be covered. Insurance companies also determine whether a drug is not covered by insurance or whether a doctor is “out of network,” meaning that a patient cannot receive a particular treatment or care that they want. is.

Indeed, insurance companies are not just messengers, they are also amplifying many of the frustrations patients experience on a daily basis. For example, the patient may have to go very far or please wait for a long time provider network too narrow or just Not enough providers. Additionally, directories and searches used by insurance companies to indicate which providers are “in-network” may be inaccuratejust like them rarely updated.

For many people, this means: Treatment is delayed or ignoredthis has a huge impact on their health and finances. For some people, It may even lead to preventable death..

Some of the most notorious insurance companies include Cancellation of warranty, etc. The refusal to cover pre-existing conditions over a minor administrative issue ended under the ACA. However, some of these problems may reoccur once the next Trump administration takes office. Trying to lift some of the ACA protections.

Even today, the so-called Short-term, limited-time health plans They promise you enough coverage for a lower premium, but even basic items may not be covered. For example, many plans Prescription drugs are not covered Or even a hospital emergency room.

Blame not only the insurance company but also the system.

Why would insurance companies act the way they do? To many, the answer may seem simple. It’s about making money. This, of course, tell the truth – US insurance company rake in billions of dollars. However, they tends to be profitablewhose margins are typically only in the 3% to 5% range.

But the story is more complicated than that. While government power is limitedinsurance companies are perhaps the only force in the U.S. health care industry trying to contain rising costs in a health care system where everyone seeks to maximize profits.

In other words, insurance companies play the role of unscrupulous police, taking measures such as restricting access to certain medical treatments and doctors. But there are some smart reasons to do so. For example, it is in the public’s best interest that insurance companies do not cover medicines that are found to be ineffective or of poor quality. And ultimately, this will keep your premiums lower than they would otherwise be. of course, Insurance companies and their CEOs earn a lot of money In the process. And sometimes, Their methods are ethically and legally questionable..

After all, most of the frustrations Americans experience with health care stem from a poorly designed system that is highly inefficient and provides countless opportunities for profit. But insurance companies are only one part, perhaps the most visible part, of that broken system.

This article is republished from conversation Under Creative Commons License. please read original article.