The New York Police Department is on a mission to uncover clues that might lead to the identity of the suspected killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. His fatal shooting in Manhattan on Wednesday has sparked significant attention. In the wake of this "brazen targeted attack," major health insurers have taken the precaution of removing images of their leadership from corporate websites. This incident has reignited crucial conversations about healthcare in the United States and the lack of accessibility. Let's delve deeper into some of the broader systemic issues within U.S. healthcare and explore how we can transform this broken system.

Unraveling the Mysteries of U.S. Healthcare and the Search for Justice

Cost of Healthcare: A Burden on Americans

Healthcare costs in the U.S. are exorbitant. KFF reported that by 2024, health spending is projected to reach $4.9 trillion. In 2024, KFF polling data showed that nearly half of U.S. adults struggle to afford healthcare costs. Medical bills remain a top financial worry for adults and their families. One in four adults delay necessary healthcare due to cost, and one in five adults don't fill prescriptions for the same reason. Black and Hispanic adults, women, parents, lower-income, and uninsured adults bear a disproportionate amount of healthcare debt, as revealed by KFF data.

Structural Inequities and Health Outcomes

Structural inequities within society have a significant impact on health outcomes. Research indicates that structural racism, including redlining, environmental injustice, bias in medical care, food insecurity, and maternal health rates, heavily contributes to health inequities. For years, the issue of medical deserts has been a concern, with rural communities facing a lack of necessary healthcare access. In 2021, research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) revealed racial and ethnic differences in health status, access, and affordability. Poor, Black individuals reported worse health compared to their counterparts.

The Impact of the Affordable Care Act

Since former President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law in 2010, the number of uninsured individuals has decreased significantly. Research shows that individuals with health insurance are more likely to utilize preventative services, leading to better health outcomes. Data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) indicates that there have been significant declines in the uninsured rate of non-white populations between 2010 and 2022, demonstrating the historic gains in healthcare coverage. However, the U.S. still does not provide universal healthcare coverage like many other countries in the Global North. Employer-sponsored health insurance often acts as a "golden handcuff," keeping many people hostage. As of 2022, 78% of the U.S. population was eligible for health insurance through their employer, but those who change or lose their job, part-time and gig-based workers, and seasonal employees are more likely to have gaps in their insurance coverage.

Transforming the Broken System

It's evident that America's healthcare system is in dire need of transformation. To achieve greater accessibility and equity, it's crucial to fight against the repeal of the ACA. Despite Trump's conflicting stance, there is a risk that under a second Trump presidency, the ACA subsidies implemented under the Biden administration will be eliminated, leading to increased premium payments. Expanding healthcare access through health insurance is linked to more positive health outcomes, and efforts must be made to ensure Americans are covered and not burdened with astronomical monthly premiums.Expanding Medicaid coverage can also improve healthcare outcomes for Americans. Cost remains a major barrier, and according to the American Medical Association (AMA), gains in health insurance coverage are the result of enhanced subsidies, continuous enrollment provisions, state expansions, and improved enrollment outreach.Another way to transform the failing healthcare system is to address the high rate of insurance claim denials. Many on social media have shared their experiences of how insurance claim denials have affected them or their family members. Several health insurance companies, including UnitedHealth, Cigna, and Humana, have been sued for using faulty artificial intelligence models to wrongly deny claims without physician review or against medical judgment. There is a lack of transparency regarding why insurance companies reject recommended care. Regulators should require insurers to reveal claim denial rates and provide more specific reasons.The increased conversations around healthcare inequities can lead to great improvements. In addition to pushing back against ACA repeal, expanding Medicaid coverage, addressing faulty AI algorithms, and providing transparency around claim denials, healthcare providers should offer education and support for equitable care to address health disparities. Initiatives like mobile clinics can increase access to healthcare for underserved groups, including minoritized and vulnerable populations. Telehealth services can also bridge gaps in healthcare access by removing geographic barriers and providing comparable medical care.