Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
5.4K
‘I Only Need To Stick Around 4 Or 5 More Years’: Doctor Shows How Horrific The US Healthcare System Is
Sometimes, it can feel like getting sick is like being robbed: “Your money or your life.” It’s no surprise that a lot of Americans believe that the healthcare and insurance systems in the United States could use a lot of improvement. The main issue—exorbitant prices for life-saving treatment and medication that you might not be able to afford at all or that will put you in serious debt.
Nephrologist (kidney specialist) Sayed Tabatabai from San Antonio in Texas shared the heart-rending reality of being part of a system that leaves a lot of people fending for themselves. He revealed how a patient of his was thinking about choosing between his diabetes and blood pressure medication because of money worries.
Scroll down to read Dr. Sayed’s story and insights about the US healthcare system in his own words. And let us know in the comments if you’ve ever had any problems with the American healthcare system yourselves, dear Pandas.
RELATED:
Dr. Tabatabai explained why the US healthcare system needs to change, badly
Image credits: TheRealDoctorT
Image credits: TheRealDoctorT
Image credits: TheRealDoctorT
Image credits: TheRealDoctorT
Image credits: TheRealDoctorT
Image credits: TheRealDoctorT
Image credits: TheRealDoctorT
Image credits: TheRealDoctorT
Image credits: TheRealDoctorT
Image credits: TheRealDoctorT
Image credits: TheRealDoctorT
Image credits: TheRealDoctorT
Image credits: TheRealDoctorT
Harvard economist David Cutler told Investopedia that the reason why US healthcare costs are so high is because of the “astronomical” administrative costs. Around a quarter of healthcare cost is linked with administration; far higher than in any other country.
However, that’s not the only issue affecting cost. There’s also a lack of competition in the US because hospitals are consolidated. While the healthcare system is so complex that its inefficiency also raises costs.
Those are all part of the reason why the World Health Organization ranks the US’ healthcare system as only the 37th best in the world. High costs don’t always mean high quality. That’s not to say that the US doesn’t have some amazing specialists or high-quality treatments available. However, it does mean that there’s a lot of room for improvement.
According to the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, the US devotes a bigger part of its national income to healthcare than any other OECD country. Last decade, healthcare spending in OECD countries stayed around 8.7 percent of the annual gross domestic product. Meanwhile, spending in the US rose from 16.3 to 17 percent of GDP.
The US also spends more on healthcare per person than any other wealthy country at around 11k dollars in 2019. The second highest-spending country was Switzerland with 7.7k dollars. The sad fact is that despite spending so much money on healthcare, the US doesn’t have better results: it’s a high-cost, low-outcome system that needs to be reformed.
One woman asked the doctor a very important question…
Image credits: LauraMaule3
…and here’s what he answered
Image credits: TheRealDoctorT
Here’s what other people said after reading the medical professional’s thread
Image credits: hazreyno
Image credits: EmmaCrockerDNP
Image credits: bcgolfgal
Image credits: CrystalHenley10
Image credits: DieOrni
Image credits: JohnVilnis
Image credits: DowlingHannahm
Image credits: CaitlinKellyNYC
Image credits: MSaremyinitials
Image credits: ptreviewer
Image credits: kellyb2076
Image credits: edwinhollins
What do you think ?
Ms Forty Seven 5 years ago
In Rwanda, a country in east central Africa, there is health insurance for all. It is subsidised for different income levels so that even the poorest can access healthcare. There are very few doctors per patient so a nationwide program providing neighbourhood healthworkers was launched to help provide basic care to people even in very rural parts of the country. It is crazy to think that a so called world power like the USA is failing it's citizens to such an extraordinary degree.
Laugh or not 5 years ago
The biggest issue is that the american population has been largely convinced that any system of mutual aid (such as universal healthcare, workers unions, etc.) are bad because they are socialist or, worse, communist. Whereas people in countries like Rwanda have learn the hard way that without union, you die.
Load More Replies...
Kristoffer Rahbek-Jensen 5 years ago
I still can't fathom why the US can't make universal healthcare a priority, the rest of the western world and a big part of ther third world have it and it works.
Virgil Blue 5 years ago
Someone doesnt seem to want to explain clearly to the public that paying some of your income to make care available to all makes the care you will *inevitably* need sometime in the future free for some things and a lot cheaper for other treatments because the costs are borne by a large group. It's not "socialism" it's creating a system that works (for the most part) and helps the largest amount of people improving life for all
Load More Replies...
Richard Brown 5 years ago
America, it seems, goes by the motto 'Greed Before Need' They all know what they need and that's a universal free at access healthcare system. The reason they won't? Insurance companies will lose a lot of money. Medical facilities will have to start pricing fairly and not for profit. The government will have to pay out and are worried that the politicians at every level may have to take a pay cut. Want to know what the biggest cause of why there is not and never going to be universal healthcare in America? The Americans themselves. They are convinced that they will have to pay extra taxes for someone else's healthcare not realizing the money has already been taken and is there right now. The amount taken per person per year to fund it is so pitifully low that they wouldn't notice. Ask yourselves this question: Would you prefer to pay $1 per month for free at access healthcare or pay $500 for a $10 pack of pills? I can tell you that Americans will choose $500! Greed before Need.
Demi Zwaan 5 years ago (edited)
The fact that he just asks for 5 years to outlive his dog just makes me cry. He doesn’t care about his own life, but he can’t die because of his dog. Is there any gofundme for this man, because I’d donate in a heartbeat! Edit: The doc posted a tweet saying “ We were able to figure out a path forward with the medications, he’s doing okay.” So this man might make it, but it’s ridiculous that this is possible.
Kimberley McMillan 5 years ago
The Canadians in this thread need to clam up a little. I'm Canadian and our healthcare system isn't perfect. Prescription meds are a huge cost for most people and there aren't many provinces that have full pharmacare coverage. Eye doctors are not covered. Dentists are not covered. Chiropractors are not covered. At least that's how it is in BC. It sucks. Sure I'm glad I don't have a 30k hospital bill when I walk out of the emergency room and that's great. But it's not perfect.
Julie C Rose 5 years ago (edited)
Oh, believe me, I want New Zealand to get rid of problems like those (we have most if not all of those problems too) and I’m in the comments section of news articles about our problems too. But there’s this constant cycle of articles like this -> Americans saying ignorant c**p about public healthcare -> public healthcare not being adopted in the US due to those mindsets -> more articles like this, and I can want that to change AND care about improving things in my own country.
Load More Replies...
Bex Hallihan 5 years ago
And here in the UK our world-class NHS is being undermined and sold off so that a handful of people can become even more obscenely wealthy. Certain people are so terrified that other people might get "something for free" they're prepared to burn the whole thing down.
Joey Marlin 5 years ago
Don't vote in the tories. They are never behind the NHS no matter what b******t they come out with at election time.
Load More Replies... Yeah, you heard 5 years ago (edited)
It's not that "no one cares". Anyone who lives in a country where healthcare and meds are free at the point of delivery is pained to hear stories like this. In the last month, each of my parents has spent over a week in hospital; one had major surgery. If we lived in the States, we'd now be destitute, and one or both of them would have died. But we're in the UK, so they've just got on with their lives and not paid a penny. We do care about the US people losing out to an extortionate healthcare system, but we are powerless to change it. If a pandemic and 200,000 deaths won't spur a president into action, I don't know what will. ☹
Hiker Chick 5 years ago
One of my coworkers just went through cancer treatment. We have the same insurance but she is married (two incomes) and earns more than me. She was happy that her cancer treatment only cost $7000 per year out-of-pocket. If I get cancer, I can't afford that, so I can choose between homeless and treated or keep my home and die young. Payment plans aren't affordable any more - you used to be able to pay $25/month to the hospitals but now they send you to collections. And I make just a little too much to qualify for charity care.
K Witmer 5 years ago
Capitalist corporations spread so much propaganda about free healthcare they have people that cant understand critical thinking that it will cost us too much money. They fail to see the taxes they spend now on people that can't afford healthcare and emergency services would cost about the same but everyone benefits. It really is down to low cognitive ability bc they can't think for themselves they have to be told what to believe that's why fascism is so easy for the simple minded
K Witmer 5 years ago
Even though they can see it working in every other country they still say it doesn't work. I mean Canada isn't a poor country people and they're right next door.
Load More Replies...
Katie Corliss 5 years ago
I do it too for many years. I take my asthma meds every other day or once a day instead of the prescribed twice a day and choose to suffer a little because it is so expensive. And I make of 50 k / year and still struggle. And I work in healthcare. A device I use frequently in my job is a manual cell counter. It was broken so they bought a new one. I usually don't see the bills but this time I did. It cost $150. For a device that does LESS than a $1 pocket calculator.... because after all it's for healthcare so it must be TOP DOLLAR no matter how simple. I'm disgusted.
K Witmer 5 years ago
Me too! Depending on my co pay it can be anywhere from 450$ for my steroid to 100$. It's insane monthly to have to pay this to breathe
Load More Replies... Ms Forty Seven 5 years ago
In Rwanda, a country in east central Africa, there is health insurance for all. It is subsidised for different income levels so that even the poorest can access healthcare. There are very few doctors per patient so a nationwide program providing neighbourhood healthworkers was launched to help provide basic care to people even in very rural parts of the country. It is crazy to think that a so called world power like the USA is failing it's citizens to such an extraordinary degree.
Laugh or not 5 years ago
The biggest issue is that the american population has been largely convinced that any system of mutual aid (such as universal healthcare, workers unions, etc.) are bad because they are socialist or, worse, communist. Whereas people in countries like Rwanda have learn the hard way that without union, you die.
Load More Replies... Kristoffer Rahbek-Jensen 5 years ago
I still can't fathom why the US can't make universal healthcare a priority, the rest of the western world and a big part of ther third world have it and it works.
Virgil Blue 5 years ago
Someone doesnt seem to want to explain clearly to the public that paying some of your income to make care available to all makes the care you will *inevitably* need sometime in the future free for some things and a lot cheaper for other treatments because the costs are borne by a large group. It's not "socialism" it's creating a system that works (for the most part) and helps the largest amount of people improving life for all
Load More Replies... Richard Brown 5 years ago
America, it seems, goes by the motto 'Greed Before Need' They all know what they need and that's a universal free at access healthcare system. The reason they won't? Insurance companies will lose a lot of money. Medical facilities will have to start pricing fairly and not for profit. The government will have to pay out and are worried that the politicians at every level may have to take a pay cut. Want to know what the biggest cause of why there is not and never going to be universal healthcare in America? The Americans themselves. They are convinced that they will have to pay extra taxes for someone else's healthcare not realizing the money has already been taken and is there right now. The amount taken per person per year to fund it is so pitifully low that they wouldn't notice. Ask yourselves this question: Would you prefer to pay $1 per month for free at access healthcare or pay $500 for a $10 pack of pills? I can tell you that Americans will choose $500! Greed before Need.
Demi Zwaan 5 years ago (edited)
The fact that he just asks for 5 years to outlive his dog just makes me cry. He doesn’t care about his own life, but he can’t die because of his dog. Is there any gofundme for this man, because I’d donate in a heartbeat! Edit: The doc posted a tweet saying “ We were able to figure out a path forward with the medications, he’s doing okay.” So this man might make it, but it’s ridiculous that this is possible.
Kimberley McMillan 5 years ago
The Canadians in this thread need to clam up a little. I'm Canadian and our healthcare system isn't perfect. Prescription meds are a huge cost for most people and there aren't many provinces that have full pharmacare coverage. Eye doctors are not covered. Dentists are not covered. Chiropractors are not covered. At least that's how it is in BC. It sucks. Sure I'm glad I don't have a 30k hospital bill when I walk out of the emergency room and that's great. But it's not perfect.
Julie C Rose 5 years ago (edited)
Oh, believe me, I want New Zealand to get rid of problems like those (we have most if not all of those problems too) and I’m in the comments section of news articles about our problems too. But there’s this constant cycle of articles like this -> Americans saying ignorant c**p about public healthcare -> public healthcare not being adopted in the US due to those mindsets -> more articles like this, and I can want that to change AND care about improving things in my own country.
Load More Replies... Bex Hallihan 5 years ago
And here in the UK our world-class NHS is being undermined and sold off so that a handful of people can become even more obscenely wealthy. Certain people are so terrified that other people might get "something for free" they're prepared to burn the whole thing down.
Joey Marlin 5 years ago
Don't vote in the tories. They are never behind the NHS no matter what b******t they come out with at election time.
Load More Replies... Yeah, you heard 5 years ago (edited)
It's not that "no one cares". Anyone who lives in a country where healthcare and meds are free at the point of delivery is pained to hear stories like this. In the last month, each of my parents has spent over a week in hospital; one had major surgery. If we lived in the States, we'd now be destitute, and one or both of them would have died. But we're in the UK, so they've just got on with their lives and not paid a penny. We do care about the US people losing out to an extortionate healthcare system, but we are powerless to change it. If a pandemic and 200,000 deaths won't spur a president into action, I don't know what will. ☹
Hiker Chick 5 years ago
One of my coworkers just went through cancer treatment. We have the same insurance but she is married (two incomes) and earns more than me. She was happy that her cancer treatment only cost $7000 per year out-of-pocket. If I get cancer, I can't afford that, so I can choose between homeless and treated or keep my home and die young. Payment plans aren't affordable any more - you used to be able to pay $25/month to the hospitals but now they send you to collections. And I make just a little too much to qualify for charity care.
K Witmer 5 years ago
Capitalist corporations spread so much propaganda about free healthcare they have people that cant understand critical thinking that it will cost us too much money. They fail to see the taxes they spend now on people that can't afford healthcare and emergency services would cost about the same but everyone benefits. It really is down to low cognitive ability bc they can't think for themselves they have to be told what to believe that's why fascism is so easy for the simple minded
K Witmer 5 years ago
Even though they can see it working in every other country they still say it doesn't work. I mean Canada isn't a poor country people and they're right next door.
Load More Replies... Katie Corliss 5 years ago
I do it too for many years. I take my asthma meds every other day or once a day instead of the prescribed twice a day and choose to suffer a little because it is so expensive. And I make of 50 k / year and still struggle. And I work in healthcare. A device I use frequently in my job is a manual cell counter. It was broken so they bought a new one. I usually don't see the bills but this time I did. It cost $150. For a device that does LESS than a $1 pocket calculator.... because after all it's for healthcare so it must be TOP DOLLAR no matter how simple. I'm disgusted.
K Witmer 5 years ago
Me too! Depending on my co pay it can be anywhere from 450$ for my steroid to 100$. It's insane monthly to have to pay this to breathe
Load More Replies...
Related on Bored Panda
312
179