Challenges Single-Payer System in the US Faces

Single-Payer Discussion

            The United States has the most expensive healthcare system of any country (MSH, n.d.). However, despite this unique status, the country’s system does not rank as the most effective against other developed nations. According to Schneider et al. (2021), America’s health systems rank poorly among other high-income nations on crucial factors like access, care process, equity, care outcomes, and administrative efficiency. Call for changes or improvement have recently involved a shift from the current multi-payer system to a single-payer system. Indeed, a majority of the countries that rank above the US utilize a single-payer system either entirely or partially.

            However, realizing a single-payer system in the US will face many challenges. The first key challenge is the potential increase in taxes. According to Blumberg and Holahan (2019), some estimates suggest that a single-payer system could increase federal expenditures on healthcare by 50%. Since taxes are the primary source of funds for the federal government, they will increase taxes. Today, the taxation issue is already contentious, and a majority, if not all of Americans, may oppose such an action (Krupkin & Gale, 2016). Another possible challenge lies in the possible unintended effects of a s...