America's healthcare system
By Cody Andrus
One potential solution to America's healthcare system could be a hybrid model, where the poor receive timely care without fear of dying due to delayed treatment, and wealthier individuals can access faster care through private plans.
Currently, the U S. healthcare system relies heavily on employer-sponsored private insurance and government-funded programs like Medicare and Medicaid. But these government programs, while vital, often leave lower-income individuals with long waiting periods for essential medical treatments. A study found that Medicaid patients experience longer wait times for specialist appointments than those with private insurance, resulting in delayed diagnoses and worsening conditions (Sommers et al., 2017). These extended waits can lead to life-threatening outcomes, where delays in necessary treatments, such as cancer or heart disease, could drastically reduce survival rates.
A hybrid system, similar to the two-tiered model in Australia or Germany, could alleviate this issue. In such a system, the government ensures that all citizens have access to essential healthcare services. But individuals with higher incomes are able to purchase private insurance plans that offer quicker access to elective procedures or specialist consultations. The public system would focus on critical, life-saving treatments, ensuring that less people die due to lack of care, while private options would cater to those who prioritize speed over cost.
Australia’s system provides universal healthcare coverage where all citizens have access to necessary hospital treatments. Yet, 50% of Australians also have private insurance, allowing them to bypass long wait times for non-emergency surgeries or specialist visits (Hall, 2017). The dual system ensures that everyone gets the care they need, but those who can afford to pay for more immediate service can do so. America could adopt a similar model, where everyone has guaranteed access to necessary care, but wealthier individuals can purchase supplementary insurance for faster services.
Sommers, B. D., et al. (2017). Medicaid and Health Outcomes: Revisiting the Evidence. Health Affairs. Hall, J. (2017). The Australian Health Care System: A Short History of Reforms. Australian Health Review. Commonwealth Fund. (2020). How the German Health Care System Works. The Commonwealth Fund. OECD. (2019). Health at a Glance 2019. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.
