BREVARD COUNTY, FL. - Healthcare professionals reassured me that it was highly improbable for me to have cancer, especially the same type as my younger sibling. They dismissed the symptoms I was experiencing, which included difficulty breathing, chest pressure, extreme fatigue, dizziness, night sweats, swollen lymph nodes, and sudden weight loss. Instead of helping me figure out the causes of these symptoms, they were more focused on persuading me that I was mistaken. One physician even went to the extent of diagnosing me as paranoid, while another ridiculed me for being a "typical military spouse who couldn't handle deployments," despite my past encounters with numerous deployments.
Patients dealing with illness in the US often find themselves grappling with an inefficient healthcare system that prioritizes profit. This unfortunate reality leaves many individuals unable to obtain crucial treatment and medication, leading to a decline in their health and financial hardships. Additionally, those who are too ill to advocate for themselves often experience discouragement and eventually abandon their efforts to secure appointments and receive the necessary care, all while navigating the complexities of dealing with insurance providers.
When I gave birth to our daughter and was going through postpartum, my husband was deployed with the military overseas. The doctors assumed I couldn't handle the stress, making comments about military wives. Two doctors refused my X-ray request. I had to take my infant and autistic toddler to ERs and appointments. I faced criticism for not having help with my kids. Meanwhile, at 27, I couldn't walk a short distance without feeling faint.
The doctors kept dismissing my severe symptoms as just exaggerated reactions common in women, linking them to the stress of being in a military family. This frustrating cycle continued with every doctor I saw.
Desperate for answers, I decided to travel to a clinic that was situated in a dilapidated building. The examination room was unforgettable - I sat on a chair made of plywood over two benches. At that point, my intuition was telling me that if I didn't take action, I could potentially lose my life. Although the poor conditions of the clinic were a concern, my main worry was my breathing issues and constant dizziness. The doctor did a chest X-ray and diagnosed me with bronchitis, prescribing antibiotics for treatment.
When I became sick and needed medical assistance, I realized how frequently doctors miss chances to save lives and how the healthcare system is flawed. During my ordeal, I saw five doctors who misdiagnosed my illness, thinking it was panic disorder, asthma, bronchitis, allergic reaction, and other unrelated issues.
The people in charge decided to give me medications for various conditions that were misdiagnosed, as I had cancerous tumors spreading rapidly. They prescribed drugs to reduce inflammation, treat depression and anxiety I didn't have, manage asthma, antibiotics like amoxicillin, treatments for allergies, pain relievers, and drugs to relax muscles. Despite my repeated requests for clear explanations, my concerns fell on deaf ears.
After a few months and consulting with my sixth doctor, who happened to be a female and actually listened to me, I finally managed to book a CT scan. The scan unveiled the presence of tumors, and following a biopsy, I received the news that I had stage 2 Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cancer. Other doctors kept insisting that it was impossible for me to have the same cancer as my brother, who was diagnosed three months prior, claiming I was too young and appeared healthy.
One of the biggest challenges facing the US healthcare system is the high number of uninsured Americans. There are a number of ways to expand access to health insurance, including:
- Expanding Medicaid eligibility
- Creating a public option for health insurance
- Offering subsidies to help people afford health insurance
The United States spends far more on healthcare than any other developed country. In 2020, the United States spent $3.8 trillion on healthcare, or 19.7% of GDP. This is significantly higher than the average for developed countries, which spend an average of 10.9% of GDP on healthcare. There are a number of ways to control the cost of care, including:
- Negotiating lower prices for prescription drugs
- Implementing price transparency measures
- Promoting value-based care
3. Improve the quality of care.
The United States has a number of challenges with the quality of care, including:
- High rates of preventable deaths
- Racial disparities in health outcomes
- A shortage of primary care physicians
There are a number of ways to improve the quality of care, including:
- Investing in preventive care
- Collecting and analyzing data on healthcare quality
- Implementing pay-for-performance programs
4. Address social determinants of health.
Social determinants of health are the factors that influence health outcomes, such as income, education, and access to healthy food and housing. There are a number of ways to address social determinants of health, including:
- Investing in early childhood education
- Raising the minimum wage
- Expanding access to affordable housing
5. Increase transparency and accountability.
The US healthcare system is complex and opaque, which can make it difficult for consumers to make informed decisions about their care. There are a number of ways to increase transparency and accountability, including:
- Requiring healthcare providers to disclose their prices
- Making healthcare data more accessible to consumers
- Holding healthcare providers accountable for their quality of care
Revamping the US healthcare system is a complex undertaking, but it is necessary to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable, high-quality care. By taking steps to expand access to health insurance, control the cost of care, improve the quality of care, address social determinants of health, and increase transparency and accountability, we can move closer to a healthcare system that works for everyone.