The healthcare cost in the U.S is exceedingly higher than in other parts of the world; however, the services are more or less the same elsewhere in the world. The high healthcare cost makes low-income patients stop coming to the facilities and look for services from other methods (Austin & Wetle, 2019). However, the government and healthcare facilities have much to do to reduce the high healthcare costs and ensure all patients receive the best healthcare services. For instance, in the U.S, doctors from the American Medical Association (AMA) participated in a survey, and over 70% reported that an average of 30% of medical care was unnecessary (Lyu et al., 2019). Specifically, the doctors highlighted numerous tests or test overload. All the unnecessary tests and procedures lead to unnecessary charges and costs to the patient. The healthcare system in the U.S entails a practice that results in more procedures, more medication, and more hospital or doctor visits than necessary.

Another wasteful service is using procedures with a minimal benefit over the generic, less costly alternative procedure. When different treatment options provide equal results, but one costs more, healthcare money is often wasted on the more expensive option (Lyu et al., 2019). If healthcare were to be coordinated as expected, the clients would have the best service and value for their money. This is because coordinated healthcare will enhance evidence-based healthcare practice; thus, the American population will have to pay less for medical services and live healthier lives. The healthcare system must eliminate waste and provide patients with cost-effective but quality healthcare services. Therefore, they have to consider the recommendations from research and healthcare-related agencies on disseminating quality and cost-effective service.

References

Austin, A., & Wetle, V. (2019). The United States Health Care System (3rd ed.). Pearson Education (US). https://online.vitalsource.com/books/9780134297927

Lyu, H., Xu, T., Brotman, D., Mayer-Blackwell, B., Cooper, M., Daniel, M., Wick, E. C., Saini, V., Brownlee, S., & Makary, M. A. (2019). Overtreatment in the United States. PLoS One. Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181970. PMID: 28877170; PMCID: PMC5587107.