Costs.

Health care is more expensive in the United States than anywhere else in the world. National expenditures on health care are over $3.5 trillion annually, over $11,000 per resident. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) projects that such costs will climb to $6 trillion, or about $17,000 per person, and will represent about 19 percent of GDP by 2027.  

Outcomes.

At the same time, the United States has some of the worst health outcomes relative to other industrialized nations. Studies show hospital admissions for preventable diseases like heart failure and diabetes are higher in the U.S. than in our peer nations; we have more medical and lab errors; we live shorter and sicker lives.

Employment.

Employer sponsored insurance premiums have risen at a staggering rate, from $6000 in 1999 to $20,000 in 2019. Workers now pay over $6000 on average towards that cost, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Prescriptions.

Drug manufacturers are the beneficiary of sky-rocketing costs. CBS reports that more than 3,400 drugs have boosted their prices in the first six months of 2019. The average price hike is 10.5%, or 5 times the rate of inflation. The cost of insulin, which Type 1 diabetics will die without, has doubled in 5 years.

Opinions.

Polls show Americans are demanding change: Majorities of the public say lowering prescription drug costs (70%), making sure protections for people with pre-existing conditions continue (69%), lowering the amount people pay for health care (64%), and protecting people from surprise medical bills (56%) are all “top priorities” for Congress to work on.