Talk: Health Care in America: How, Why, What Next?

Among the most developed nations, the United States has a rather unique health care system. The basic question is why?

While often leading in drug discovery, new technologies, and treatments, the U.S. does not have universal coverage. Yet it spends more per capita on health care than all other developed nations but its health indictors do not match spending. Adding to the mystery, many non-US come to America to receive care, especially when they are very sick.

The US health care system is a combination of federal and state government programs targeted at specific populations, employer provided health insurance and an individual market now organized and partially subsidized by the federal government that while designed to be mandatory does not function as such.  All this and yet the US uninsured rate is around 9% with an underinsured rate perhaps twice as high.

How did the US get here? One answer is clear, it was not through strategic decision making. Instead, national culture, economics, politics and incremental decision making combined to create the system the US has today. Come listen and take part in a discussion: “The US Health Care System: How, Why, What Next?” and hear about the political, economic and policy factors that have shaped and will continue to shape the US system. 

Picture: (c) by Mega Pixel, Shutterstock

is senior director of APCO Worldwide and its lead media relations strategist in the Washington, D.C. office. In his role, he specializes in providing strategic advice and counsel, tactical execution and representation to a wide variety of clients including nearly all of APCO’s health care clients. Prior to joining APCO, Mr. Pierce served as the deputy assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Mr. Pierce is an adjunct professor at The Johns Hopkins University Advanced Academic Program, where he teaches classes in media relations and crisis communication.