Reimagining Healthcare: Reducing Costs and Advancing Equity in the United States
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58445/rars.2048Keywords:
Healthcare Costs, U.S. Healthcare System, Affordable Care, Health Equity, Healthcare Reform, Administrative Inefficiencies, Pharmaceutical Pricing, Telemedicine, Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), Value-Based Care, Comparative Healthcare Systems, Health Policy, Preventive Care, Emerging Health TechnologiesAbstract
The United States healthcare system is renowned for its exorbitant costs, yet it underperforms on essential health metrics compared to other high-income nations. This paper systematically analyzes the root causes of these inefficiencies, including administrative burdens, pharmaceutical pricing, and fragmented service delivery. Drawing from international models such as Germany’s social health insurance and Canada’s single-payer system, this research identifies actionable reforms, emphasizing the importance of affordability in achieving equitable and superior health outcomes. Through a mixed-methods approach that includes comparative analysis and case studies, the study highlights the transformative potential of emerging technologies like telemedicine, artificial intelligence, and interoperable electronic health records. These innovations, coupled with strategic policy changes—such as value-based care models, standardized billing, and addressing social determinants of health—offer a path forward. The findings underscore the feasibility of cost-reduction strategies when adapted to the U.S. context, provided political, cultural, and logistical barriers are addressed. By fostering collaboration among policymakers, healthcare providers, and technologists, and prioritizing equity, the U.S. can reimagine its healthcare system to deliver efficient, affordable, and high-quality care for all. This research calls for immediate action to transform healthcare into a public good that aligns economic sustainability with ethical imperatives.References
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