Illness is an inescapable part of existence, and the financial strain of medical treatment can be daunting. The United States is unique among developed countries for not having a universal health care system, instead relying on a profit-driven model where insurance companies frequently attempt to cut costs. Strategies like prior authorization or peer-to-peer evaluations for routine treatments lead to delays, monopolizing providers’ time and detracting from patient services. Many low-income workers, particularly those without benefits, experience a lack of any health insurance coverage.

In contrast to former congressman Raul Labrador’s assertion that “no one dies for lack of insurance,” access to health care in the U.S. is primarily assured only for emergencies under EMTALA, which requires emergency services but does not cover chronic illness treatment. As a result, uninsured individuals often find themselves at the mercy of hospitals and providers, putting financial pressure on these institutions and risking bankruptcy, which can reduce local health care availability when facilities close. The transfer of costs for uninsured care to insured patients also drives up health care prices.

Insurance operates by pooling risk, implying that numerous policyholders who never submit a claim help cover expenses for those who do. In health insurance, younger, healthier individuals subsidize the costs of those with greater medical requirements. If only those who are already ill keep their insurance, the system becomes unviable. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) sought to ensure every American had coverage, including preventive care, while preventing insurers from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions. However, lowered penalties for going without insurance weakened its risk-sharing basis. Nonetheless, the ACA extended coverage to about 20 million Americans who were previously uninsured and improved results for chronic illnesses like cancer and diabetes.

Diminishing the profit incentive in health care or providing comprehensive health insurance for all Americans would greatly assist hospitals and improve overall access to medical services.