The United States healthcare system faces significant challenges, impacting access, affordability, and patient care. This article outlines five crucial steps to address these issues and build a more robust and patient-centric system. These proposals emphasize market-driven solutions, preventative care, and empowering both states and individuals in healthcare decisions.

1. Unleashing Market Forces

Harnessing the power of the free market is paramount. Reducing excessive regulations and promoting competition can drive down costs and enhance the quality of care. Transparency in pricing is essential. Mandating hospitals to disclose the cash prices of their services enables patients to compare costs effectively, regardless of their insurance network. Insurance policies should allow all medical expenses, both in-network and out-of-network, to contribute towards deductibles. Furthermore, patients who opt for lower-cost providers should benefit from shared savings with insurance companies. Financial hardship due to emergency medical procedures is unacceptable. Insurance companies must cover emergency services irrespective of network affiliation, allowing patients to prioritize their health without worrying about network restrictions. Expanding Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to cover all medical services, including wellness-related expenses like transportation to appointments, further empowers patients to manage their healthcare spending.

2. Tackling Chronic Diseases

Chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity are major contributors to healthcare costs and preventable deaths. Prioritizing preventative care is crucial. Incentivizing healthy lifestyles through tax deductions for gym memberships, nutritional counseling, and wellness programs can encourage positive change. Reforming agricultural subsidies to support nutrient-rich foods over processed and sugary options can promote healthier diets. Government subsidies should be directed towards nutritious foods, and communities should prioritize safe environments for physical activity.

3. Empowering State-Level Innovation

Healthcare solutions should be tailored to the specific needs of each state. States should have the autonomy to develop healthcare systems that address their unique challenges. Leveraging existing relationships with hospitals, doctors, insurers, and non-profit organizations can enhance community health initiatives. Shifting Medicaid funding to block grants empowers states to innovate and allocate resources efficiently, ensuring vulnerable populations receive necessary care. States can also explore “emergency only” insurance plans combined with expanded HSAs for routine and preventative care. Expanding telehealth services and capping drug co-pays can improve access to affordable care.

4. Rebuilding the Doctor-Patient Bond

Excessive regulations and bureaucratic processes have strained the doctor-patient relationship. Reducing administrative burdens on physicians, such as reporting requirements from Medicare and private insurers, allows them to dedicate more time to patient care. Addressing the dominance of large hospital systems over independent practices and eliminating restrictive covenants can foster competition, lower costs, improve care quality, and empower patients to choose their doctors. Insurance companies' practices of consolidating care within large hospital systems often force out skilled physicians by suppressing reimbursement rates, pushing providers to consolidate or forgo accepting insurance altogether.

5. Securing the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the vulnerability of the pharmaceutical supply chain. Over-reliance on foreign manufacturing has created shortages of essential medications. Incentivizing domestic production of crucial drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) is vital for public health security. A strong “Buy American” policy for healthcare supplies is essential for national security and preparedness.

Revitalizing American healthcare requires decisive action, a commitment to market-based solutions, and empowering individuals to take control of their health. These five strategies can create a healthcare system that is affordable, efficient, and patient-focused.