InfoSearched
Published -
- December 10, 2019
- 6:53 pm
The cost of US healthcare
In the UK, an ambulance callout costs you £0 in medical bills. The birth of your child costs you £0 in medical bills. In the USA, it’s a different story.
We asked members of the public to guess how much they’d have to pay for simple medical services in America, and what they think about the NHS.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of adopting a mixed public-private healthcare system?
The true cost of US healthcare has shocked the British public, as the latest figures show that it is one of the most expensive systems in the developed world. The high cost of healthcare in the US is a major concern for British citizens, as they worry that similar costs could be introduced in the UK.
According to a report by the Commonwealth Fund, the US spends more on healthcare per capita than any other developed country. Data shows that the US spends $10,209 per person on healthcare each year, which is more than twice the amount spent in the UK. The US healthcare system, which relies on a mixture of private and public insurance, is also one of the most complex, with a maze of providers, insurers, and government bodies all playing a role.
The high cost of healthcare in the US is a major concern for the British public, with many worried that similar costs could be introduced in the UK. The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is renowned for providing high-quality care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. However, there are concerns that the NHS is underfunded and overburdened, with waiting times for some treatments and procedures being much longer than in other countries.
The true cost of US healthcare has prompted calls for a review of the UK’s healthcare system. Some experts have suggested that the UK should adopt a mixed system, similar to that of the US, with a combination of public and private insurance. This would allow patients to access healthcare more quickly and efficiently, while also ensuring that the system remains sustainable over the long-term.
However, others argue that the UK’s healthcare system should remain entirely public, with any necessary funding coming from taxpayers. They argue that a mixed system would lead to greater inequality, with those who can afford private insurance receiving higher quality care than those who cannot.
Despite the debate over the future of the UK’s healthcare system, one thing is clear: the true cost of US healthcare has shocked the British public and raised important questions about the future of healthcare in the UK. Whether the UK chooses to follow the US model, or develops a unique approach of its own, it will be crucial to ensure that all patients receive the high-quality care they deserve, at a cost that is sustainable over the long-term.
