Health Care in the U. S. : A Growing Concern

Recent findings reveal a concerning trend in the U. S. health care system. A significant number of Americans are struggling to access affordable and timely medical care. This issue is not just about money; it's also about the quality and availability of services. Many people are skipping necessary medical procedures due to high costs. Long wait times are also a major problem, preventing people from getting the care they need. The situation is even worse for some racial groups, with Black and Hispanic Americans reporting a decline in access to quality, affordable health care. The survey also found that nearly half of U. S. adults are worried about affording necessary care in the coming year. This is the highest level of concern since tracking began in 2021. The survey did not ask about Obamacare subsidies or new Medicaid work requirements, which could make the situation even worse. When it comes to states, no one is doing great. The best states only received a C+ grade. The worst states, like Nevada and Alaska, got a C-. There are big differences between states in terms of cost, quality, and access to care. For example, in Mississippi, 36% of adults said someone in their household couldn't afford a prescription in the past three months. That's triple the rate in Iowa. Even in the top 10 states, things aren't great. One in four adults reported skipping recommended health care due to cost. And 20% said it's difficult to get the health services they need. This shows that the health care system in the U. S. has a long way to go.