Health Care in the United States: Current Perspectives, Future Directions

Abstract

Health care in the United States (US) is undergoing major changes. Although high end health care is probably the best in the world, primary care has been badly lacking, not to mention that in 2010, there were approximately 50 million Americans without health insurance. In 2014, The Commonwealth Fund ranked the US last among the developed countries including Canada and Australia; however we were the first in expenditure. Medicare and Health accounts for 27% of the Federal Budget, and the annual US Health care spending by households, businesses, and the government is due to reach over 3 trillion dollars in 2015. This article reviews and suggests cost containment strategies, the pros and cons of consolidation of health care, and the future of computerized medicine.