Improving our healthcare system to deliver better quality care at lower cost is critically important to our nation’s long-term economic and fiscal well-being.
The rising cost of healthcare is one of the key drivers of our growing national debt, which crowds out important investments in our future economy, including priority areas like education, research and development, and infrastructure.
Although the United States spends significantly more per person on healthcare than other industrialized nations, our health outcomes are no better — and are often worse.
As lawmakers consider changes to healthcare reform, the infographic below highlights some key facts about the American healthcare system. To learn more about possible policy options, see our discussion of healthcare solutions or visit the Peterson Center on Healthcare.
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Further Reading
Budget Basics: Medicaid
This budget explainer describes what Medicaid is, how it is financed, and who benefits from it.
Solutions for Medicare Sustainability
Seven leading policy organizations put forward proposals to strengthen Medicare’s fiscal outlook while maintaining quality of care.
Healthcare Spending Will be One-Fifth of the Economy within a Decade
Healthcare spending in the United States is rising, with serious implications for the federal budget.