Healthcare in the United States
Overview
Healthcare in the United States is provided by many distinct organizations. Health care facilities are largely owned and operated by private sector businesses. Health insurance for public sector employees is primarily provided by the government. 58% of community hospitals in the United States are non-profit, 21% are government-owned, and 21% are for-profit. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States spent $9,403 on health care per capita, and 17.1% on health care as percentage of its GDP in 2014. The United States does not have a universal healthcare program, unlike most other developed countries.
History
The rise of private insurance was accompanied by the gradual expansion of public insurance programs for those who could not acquire coverage through the market. The Social Security Act, signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935, created Social Security and included a provision for the establishment of a national health insurance program. However, the provision was not enacted and the possibility for a national health insurance plan was not considered again until the 1960s.
Structure
The healthcare system in the United States is complex, involving many different types of private and public entities that finance healthcare services, and also entities that provide these services. The system is a mix of public and private, and is financed by a combination of direct government funding, private health insurers, and out-of-pocket expenses.
Public Healthcare
Public healthcare in the United States is a complex system. It includes programs such as Medicare, which is a federal program that provides health coverage if you are 65 or older or have a severe disability, and Medicaid, a state and federal program that provides health coverage if you have a very low income.
Private Healthcare
Private healthcare in the United States is a major source of health care for the majority of Americans. Most working-age Americans have private health insurance through their employer, while about 14% of the population is covered by Medicare.
Health Insurance
Health insurance in the United States is any program that helps pay for medical expenses, whether through privately purchased insurance, social insurance, or a social welfare program funded by the government. The health insurance market in the United States is characterized by a large variety of plans and providers.
Healthcare Reform
Healthcare reform in the United States has a long history. Reforms have often been proposed but have rarely been accomplished. In 2010, landmark reform was passed through two federal statutes enacted in 2010: the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010, and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, which amended the PPACA and became law on March 30, 2010.
Quality of Healthcare
The quality of healthcare in the United States is often debated. While the U.S. healthcare system is the most expensive in the world, it consistently under-performs compared to the other countries, and outcomes are not noticeably better than countries which spend less on healthcare.