EDITOR’S SUMMARY: U.S. healthcare is a maze of rising costs and insurance confusion, leaving you caught in the middle. Despite outspending every other country, you’re stuck with poor health outcomes, chronic diseases, and preventable deaths on the rise. By focusing on proactive health—through lifestyle changes and functional medicine—you can redefine what health looks like for you and chart a new path forward.
Written by Carter Trent
Edited by Nicki Steinberger, Ph.D.
Healthcare in the United States is plagued by challenges, including rapidly rising costs, insurance hurdles, and a system that prioritizes treating illness rather than preventing it. Navigating the system is no easy feat—50% of consumers are unable to do so on their own. For example, if your doctor prescribes a medical test, such as an ultrasound, you have to figure out if it’s covered by your health insurance. Even then, you might be stuck with an expensive medical bill you thought was covered only to discover you were charged more than what your insurance carrier deemed a “reasonable and customary fee,” and you’re forced to pay the difference. The landscape of today’s healthcare system is a substantial change from what it was in the early 20th century. In the 1900s, physicians treated patients in their homes, and healthcare was unregulated. Health insurance didn’t exist, so everyone paid out of pocket. Then, in 1909, Salvarsan, used to treat syphilis, was developed. It was the first drug designed to destroy disease, while allowing the patient to live. As a result, it was called a “magic bullet,” giving birth to today’s pharmaceutical industry. Around the same time, the Flexner Report was released, setting medical education standards for doctors nationwide. This led to the closure of medical schools that did not meet the report’s standards for treatments supported by scientific research. Among those closed were 80% of schools focused on integrative medicine, such as naturopathy, as well as over 90% of medical schools that trained Black physicians, a consequence of systemic racism.
During the 1920s, hospitals emerged as centers for medicine, but this shift meant certain communities lacked access to medical care. Moreover, medical costs began to rise as demand increased, while physicians and hospitals were allowed to set their own prices. This led to the formation of health insurance in 1929 when school teachers in Dallas, Texas contracted with the hospital at Baylor University to form what would become the Blue Cross insurance plan. Yet today, the cost of U.S. healthcare remains expensive. In 2023, national healthcare spending reached $4.9 trillion, averaging $14,570 per person. This represents a 7.5% increase from 2022, surpassing the growth rates of the previous two years. Despite this increase, the U.S. healthcare system ranks last among 10 peer nations in terms of performance, including health equity, access to care, and outcomes. Unfortunately, costs continue to rise. In 2023, national health expenditures accounted for 17.6% of gross domestic product (GDP), an increase from 17.3% in 2022. Projections suggest that this trend will continue, with healthcare spending expected to reach 19.7% of GDP by 2032.
One factor contributing to the high cost of healthcare in the U.S. is the rising price of prescription drugs. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that the median price of new drugs increased from $2,115 in 2008 to over $180,000 in 2021. Between 2008 and 2013, only 9% of new drugs cost $150,000 or more per year, but by 2021, 47% of new drugs carried a six-figure price tag. The burden of these higher costs ultimately falls on you, the consumer, through increased insurance premiums, higher deductibles, and a larger share of out-of-pocket expenses. An additional contributor to rising prices is the U.S. healthcare system’s reliance on a patchwork of privately and publicly funded health insurance programs. About 54.5% of Americans under age 65 depend on employer-provided plans for insurance coverage. As a result, among high-income countries, the U.S. has a substantial population of uninsured. As of early 2023, 25.3 million Americans lacked health coverage.
All other high-income countries provide government-run healthcare to its citizens, contributing to lower healthcare costs compared to the U.S. That’s because the governments of these countries implemented pricing controls to help its people pay significantly less for healthcare than the U.S. Additionally, a significant issue within the current medical system is the lengthy process of scheduling appointments, often resulting in waiting weeks or even longer to see a doctor. These delays continue to increase over time. In 2004, patients waited an average of 21 days to see a doctor. By 2022, that average rose to 26 days. Recent data shows that the situation has worsened: In 2024, the average wait time to see a doctor has reached 38 days, significantly longer than the industry benchmark of 14 days. This trend is expected to continue, partly due to a growing shortage of physicians.
Despite spending more on healthcare than any other nation on the planet, the U.S. suffers the lowest life expectancy, highest death rates from treatable conditions, and the highest maternal and infant mortality among affluent countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom, South Korea, France, and Japan. For example, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes—conditions that are often avoidable—remain the leading causes of death in the U.S., contributing to nearly 60% of all deaths in the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly one in two adults has at least one chronic disease, and seven in ten deaths are caused by chronic diseases, many of which are preventable through lifestyle changes and early intervention. The stark reality is that Americans are facing a growing chronic disease load. In fact, the CDC also reports that 40% of U.S. adults are obese, a significant risk factor for these and other life-threatening conditions. And the trend is worsening: Over the past few decades, obesity rates have nearly doubled, contributing not only to poorer health outcomes but also to increased healthcare costs. It’s estimated that the U.S. spends over $200 billion annually on obesity-related healthcare expenses alone.
Furthermore, the U.S. has one of the highest rates of prescription drug use globally, with nearly 70% of adults taking at least one prescription drug, and 20% taking five or more. While medications may be critical for treating certain conditions, this reliance on pharmaceuticals highlights the reactive nature of the current healthcare system, where treatment often focuses on managing symptoms rather than preventing disease. The decline in overall health is also reflected in the mental health crisis facing the nation. According to a 2021 report from the American Psychological Association (APA), “Young Americans continue to struggle,” nearly 1 in 3 Americans reported feeling lonely, and mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression have surged. This widespread mental health struggle has added strain to a system already weighed down by chronic disease and high healthcare costs. These statistics paint a bleak picture of American health, but they also reveal a systemic issue. The U.S. healthcare system, while advanced in terms of medical technology and treatment options, is falling short when it comes to the most important aspect of health: prevention. Without a shift toward addressing the root causes of these preventable conditions, the country will continue to suffer from rising healthcare costs, lower life expectancy, and a population facing an increasing prevalence of chronic disease.
Is Telehealth the Way of the Future?
Several businesses have stepped in to address problems with the U.S. healthcare system, including Teladoc, Village Medical, and retailing giant Amazon, through its One Medical offering. These and other private companies believe they can improve the healthcare experience for consumers by way of telehealth technology—the ability to receive remote health services from a provider by phone or via video conferencing. Given the massive size of the primary care industry, valued at approximately $271 billion in 2023 and projected to grow at a rate of 3.36% annually, reaching an estimated $339.6 billion by 2030, it’s no surprise several companies are battling to capture a piece of this expanding market.
Telehealth is a broad field that encompasses a wide range of healthcare services delivered virtually, including physical exams, cancer screenings, mental health services, chronic condition management, and nutrition counseling. Telemedicine, a subset of telehealth, specifically refers to clinical services provided remotely, focusing primarily on the patient-doctor relationship, diagnosis, and treatment of ailments. An advantage of this approach is the ability to book appointments online, often with same-day availability. Appointments also tend to be longer than typical in-person visits, as technology reduces paperwork and allows providers to quickly access digital medical records. These online options seek to improve patient care by offering greater convenience and time savings compared to traditional office visits. While research on telehealth remains limited, studies suggest it works well as a complement to in-person care—and patients generally report positive experiences. As a result, telehealth is expected to remain part of medical treatment, though its use is still relatively small. As of May 2023, about 5% of insurance claims involved telehealth, up from less than 1% before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Telehealth is still an emerging field, which presents challenges. State and federal policies, along with insurance coverage, vary. For example, Medicare plans to cover telehealth through 2024, but this coverage is considered “temporary.” Healthcare practitioners can provide services across state lines, but they must be licensed in your state. In some cases, an in-person visit may also be required. Additionally, while “telehealth” and “telemedicine” are often used interchangeably, insurance companies and the government distinguish between them. These evolving distinctions mean the long-term viability of telehealth depends on how current laws apply to this form of medical service now that the COVID-19 pandemic— which encouraged the use of online resources—is over. Widespread insurance coverage is also a key factor, so it’s important to check with your insurance carrier to determine which telehealth services are covered, if any. Despite the benefits of telehealth, some users express concerns about misdiagnosis or having to consult a nurse instead of a doctor. Another issue is continuity of care—if you want to continue seeing the same primary care physician (PCP), it may not always be possible. Some services offer on-demand video calls or messaging, which may involve a different provider, and limited availability of your PCP can lead to more frequent changes in providers.
Beyond the Band-Aid: Shifting to a Prevention-First Approach
Amid innovations in remote healthcare, a pressing question remains: Are these so-called advances merely repackaging the same old “sick care” model—one that treats symptoms as the finish line rather than addressing root causes? If technology is only making it more convenient to manage illness, is the system truly evolving, or is it just spinning its wheels in the cycle of chronic disease management? Many services focus on short-term solutions, offering temporary relief without addressing the broader health picture. This reactive approach often prioritizes conventional treatment over prevention, ultimately preserving the status quo. Without a shift toward proactive, preventative care, the potential for meaningful progress remains limited. From Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, “Healthcare Evolves From Reactive to Proactive”:
“ … preventing disease, rather than interventions that interrupt the progression of established disease, is more effective from the perspective of providing the greatest health benefits to the greatest number of people.”
Imagine a healthcare philosophy that prioritizes solutions before the body breaks down. Instead of chasing symptoms with prescriptions, the focus shifts to building resilience—nurturing health so that disease struggles to take hold in the first place. The foundation isn’t a medicine cabinet, but a lifestyle that prioritizes deep, restorative sleep, stress reduction, and nutrition that sustains energy rather than depleting it. Sunshine, movement, and time in nature become essential daily doses, not afterthoughts. This approach doesn’t just aim to prevent illness; it cultivates a state of thriving. Here, wellness isn’t measured solely by the absence of symptoms, but by vitality, mood stability, and the richness of your social connections. Are you waking up refreshed? Do you feel mentally sharp? Are laughter and creativity woven into your days? These are the markers of true health—far more telling than a lab result that simply hovers within “normal” ranges.
Prevention is about expanding life, not just extending it. This aligns with the concept of salutogenesis—the science of fostering health rather than simply treating disease. Instead of reacting to illness, this approach emphasizes the conditions that create resilience, adaptability, and overall flourishing. And unlike mainstream medical practices, this paradigm comes without the fine print of potential side effects. There’s no warning label on fresh air or movement. No prescription required for a fulfilling meal shared with loved ones. When the emphasis is placed on fortifying health rather than patching up dysfunction, your body has fewer reasons to sound the alarm in the first place. Looking toward functional medicine may provide a more effective pathway to restoring and maintaining good health. Noted from “Association of the Functional Medicine Model of Care With Patient-Reported Health-Related Quality-of-Life Outcomes”:
“The functional medicine model of care provides an operating system that works to reverse illness, promote health, and optimize function by addressing underlying causes, symptoms, and functional imbalances in interconnected biological networks.”
Visiting your doctor isn’t just about diagnosing what’s wrong; it’s about strengthening what’s right. Instead of focusing solely on symptoms, your doctor will sit down with you to discuss your lifestyle—the choices you’re making around sleep, stress, food, and activity. You’ll explore your stamina, mental clarity, and emotional resilience, as these become key indicators of health. Together, you’ll collaborate to design a plan that enhances your daily routines, incorporating more nature, movement, and social connection. Your doctor becomes a health partner, offering guidance to optimize your well-being. Comprehensive bloodwork may be ordered, going beyond traditional panels to assess nutrient levels, inflammation signals, hormone balance, and metabolic health—offering deeper insights into your body’s unique needs. From there, your care plan might include recommendations for herbal treatments, like adaptogens to help manage stress, or herbs that support digestion and immune health. It may also include therapies like cupping to improve circulation and relieve muscle tension.
Additionally, physical medicine such as chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, or movement practices like yoga and physical therapy might be part of the strategy to keep your body in optimal alignment. Innovative therapies like whole-body cryotherapy (stepping into a chamber cooled to subzero temperatures for a few minutes) for inflammation reduction, red light treatments (RLT) to enhance mitochondrial function, hyperbaric oxygen sessions (HBOT) to increase oxygen levels in your blood, or sound therapy to enhance relaxation and promote deep sleep could also be explored. Qigong, a mind/body/spirit practice, might also be incorporated to help restore balance and improve energy flow. You won’t be handed a quick fix; instead, you’ll receive a holistic, individualized approach to maintaining and improving your health.
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Published on April 03, 2025.
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