title: Fact and fiction: debunking myths in the US healthcare system.
abstract: The United States has the most expensive and complex healthcare system in the world. Despite the magnitude of funds spent on the system, Americans do not achieve the high standards of health seen in other developed countries. The current model of health insurance has failed to deliver efficient and effective healthcare. The administrative costs and lack of buying power that arise out of the existing multipayer system are at the root of the problem. The current system also directly contributes to the rising number of uninsured and underinsured Americans. This lack of insurance leads to poorer health outcomes, and a significant amount of money is lost into the system by paying for these complications. Experience from other countries suggests that tangible improvements can occur with conversion to a single-payer system. However, previous efforts at reform have stalled. There are many myths commonly held true by both patients and physicians. This inscrutability of the US healthcare system may be the major deterrent to its improvement. A discussion of these myths can lead to increased awareness of the inequality of our healthcare system and the possibilities for improvement.
authors: Department of Surgery, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA. Umut.Sarpel@mountsinai.org
authors: Umut
authors: U
authors: Sarpel
authors: Bruce C
authors: BC
authors: Vladeck
authors: Celia M
authors: CM
authors: Divino
authors: Paul E
authors: PE
authors: Klotman
mesh_terms: D030861:Capitalism; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018166:Health Care Reform; D006801:Humans; D017057:Medically Uninsured; D009310:National Health Insurance, United States; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000191:economics; D018855:Single-Payer System; D014478:Unemployment; D014481:United States; D019472:Universal Health Insurance