The US is Amongst The Lowest Ranking Counties in Health Care Quality Outcomes – Bethany Medical Clinic NYC Gives The Facts
The United States of America is known for its advanced technology, world-class infrastructure, and excellent quality of life.
However, the country lags behind its industrialized counterparts when it comes to health outcomes.
According to a commonwealth fund study that you can see here:
Despite being the largest spender in the healthcare sector, the US ranks last in healthcare outcomes in comparison to other industrialized nations.
This disparity is a cause for concern, and it highlights the need for a closer examination of the reasons for this mismatch.
The High Cost of Healthcare in the US:
The cost of healthcare in the US is a major contributing factor to the country’s poor health outcomes. According to studies published by the Commonwealth Fund, the US spent 17.2% of its GDP on healthcare in 2018 and 18.3% in 2021 – the highest among industrialized nations. The high cost of healthcare is primarily due to a number of factors, including the inaccessibility of high-quality primary care.
Insufficient Access to High-Quality Primary Care:
One of the biggest reasons for the inaccessibility of high-quality primary care in the US is insurance underpayment for primary care services. Primary care services are the first point of contact for individuals seeking medical assistance. However, due to underpayment by insurance companies, many primary care providers are unable to offer quality services to their patients. As a result, many individuals are forced to seek care from more expensive sources, such as specialists or emergency rooms.
Extreme Shortage of Primary Care Physicians:
The shortage of primary care physicians in the US is another factor that contributes to the inaccessibility of quality primary care. According to the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC), the US is facing a shortage of primary care physicians, with an estimated shortfall of over 40,000 doctors by 2030. This shortage is due to a combination of factors, including an aging population and a lack of incentives for medical students to pursue careers in primary care.
The Decline of Primary Care Physician-Led Practices:
The decline of primary care physician-led practices is another major contributor to the inaccessibility of high-quality primary care in the US. In recent years, there has been a shift towards corporate primary care groups led by administrators rather than physicians.
This shift has resulted in a decrease in the number of practices that are built and led by physicians who prioritize health outcomes above all else. As a result, many individuals are unable to receive the personalized and thorough care that they need.
Bethany Medical Clinic: A Solution to the Problem
Bethany Medical Clinic of New York seeks to offer a solution to these problems by providing personalized and thorough primary care to New Yorkers. Our clinic was built and is still led by a physician, with the optimization of the health of our patients as our primary mission. We strongly believe that the relationship between a person and their primary care provider is sacred and should be protected. By supporting this relationship and making it accessible to all, we believe that we will be taking a step towards better health outcomes for the United States.
Conclusion:
The disparity between the high cost of healthcare in the US and its poor health outcomes is a cause of concern. The inaccessibility of high-quality primary care due to insurance underpayment, the extreme shortage of primary care physicians, and the decline of primary care physician-led practices are the primary contributors to this problem. By offering personalized and thorough primary care, Bethany Medical Clinic of New York seeks to provide a solution to these problems and help improve health outcomes in the United States.