Patients Need More Power in American Healthcare | Opinion
Summary
The opinion article argues that U.S. patients have too little control over how they spend money on health care. It cites insurance costs and the author’s hospital billing experience, and points to direct primary care, telemedicine, home testing and digital health tools as options that could give patients more choice.Key Facts
- The article cites KFF’s 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey, which found workers paid an average of $6,850 a year toward employer-sponsored family health insurance.
- It says the average individual deductible for plans with a general annual deductible was $1,886.
- The author says a hospital offered a 10% discount for paying an outpatient bill upfront after the author received stitches for a cut hand.
- The author says paying directly could secure a lower price without applying the expense to the insurance deductible.
- The article says health coverage is largely shaped by employers, insurers and institutional agreements, limiting patients’ influence over spending and services.
- The article identifies direct primary care, telemedicine, at-home blood testing, digital health monitoring and online nutrition services as alternatives giving people more ways to manage their health.
- The author argues that greater patient control over health spending could make preventive services easier to prioritize.
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