Individuals across the globe face similar healthcare challenges, one of which includes access to healthcare when they get sick. However, not all countries are created equal and one large difference remains greatly evident among them: cost of healthcare.
As you can see in the graph from late 2013 (right), over 30% of sick individuals in the United States went without
recommended care, did not see a doctor when they were sick, or did not fill prescriptions because of cost. Compare this to the UK, which comes in at 4%, and Sweden at 6%. With more than 40% of patients in the United States paying more than $1,000 out of pocket to receive care (not counting insurance premiums), the reason behind skipping out on seeking care becomes clearer.
As a Chicago Health Corps member with the American Cancer Society, I serve to increase healthcare access to individuals across Chicago by navigating them to health insurance. Although the health insurance system is broken, it is being gradually fixed through new, expanded healthcare insurance programs. For example, by enrolling in CountyCare, a pilot insurance program produced from expanding Medicaid in Illinois, previously uninsured individuals are for the first time capable of receiving preventative care services for a drastically reduced price. This is but one step in the right direction of lowering out-of-pocket healthcare costs for those who need the assistance most. Because of AmeriCorps, I am able to contribute and am proud to be doing my part.
This post was written by CHC member 