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Unaffordable American Healthcare: A Long and Troubling History from Johnson to Trump

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Unaffordable: American Healthcare from Johnson to Trump

by Jonathan Engel

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Americans pay more for healthcare than any other developed country. This is a problem that has been brewing for decades, and it has only gotten worse in recent years.

The Roots of the Problem

The seeds of America's healthcare crisis were sown in the 1960s, with the passage of Medicare and Medicaid. These programs were designed to provide health insurance to the elderly and the poor, but they also created a new system of healthcare financing that was based on fee-for-service.

Fee-for-service is a system in which doctors and hospitals are paid for each procedure they perform. This creates an incentive for providers to order more tests and treatments, even if they are not necessary.

The fee-for-service system has been a major driver of healthcare costs in the United States. It has also made it more difficult for people to afford health insurance.

The Reagan Revolution

In the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan signed into law a series of tax cuts that disproportionately benefited the wealthy. These tax cuts led to a decrease in government revenue, which in turn led to cuts in Medicare and Medicaid.

Reagan's tax cuts also made it easier for employers to offer health insurance plans that were less comprehensive and more expensive for employees.

The Reagan Revolution had a profound impact on American healthcare. It made it more difficult for people to afford health insurance and it led to an increase in healthcare costs.

The Clinton Era

President Bill Clinton attempted to address the issue of healthcare affordability with the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010. The ACA expanded health insurance coverage to millions of Americans and it also included a number of provisions designed to slow the growth of healthcare costs.

The ACA has been controversial since its passage. Republicans have repeatedly tried to repeal the law, and the Trump administration has taken steps to undermine it.

Despite the ACA, healthcare costs have continued to rise. This is due in part to the fact that the ACA did not address the underlying causes of the healthcare crisis, namely the fee-for-service system and the high cost of prescription drugs.

The Trump Era

President Donald Trump has made healthcare affordability a central focus of his administration. He has signed into law a number of measures that are designed to reduce healthcare costs, including a tax cut that eliminates the individual mandate of the ACA.

The Trump administration has also proposed a number of other changes to the healthcare system, including allowing people to buy health insurance across state lines and allowing the sale of health insurance plans that do not cover certain essential benefits.

It is too early to say what the full impact of the Trump administration's healthcare policies will be. However, it is clear that the administration is committed to making changes to the healthcare system that are likely to have a significant impact on affordability.

The Future of American Healthcare

The future of American healthcare is uncertain. The current system is unsustainable, and it is clear that changes need to be made.

There is no easy solution to the healthcare crisis. However, there are a number of things that can be done to make healthcare more affordable.

Move away from the fee-for-service system
Reduce the cost of prescription drugs
Provide more financial assistance to low- and middle-income families
Expand health insurance coverage to all Americans

These are just a few of the steps that can be taken to make American healthcare more affordable. It is important to remember that healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Every American deserves access to quality, affordable healthcare.

Unaffordable: American Healthcare from Johnson to Trump

by Jonathan Engel

5 out of 5