Health Equity

‘Outrageous’: 46 Million Americans Say They Would Not Be Able to Afford Healthcare If They Needed It

Abstract: Dr. Vikas Saini, president of the Lown Institute think tank, told The Guardian on Wednesday that "unfortunately, it's not surprising that millions of Americans can't afford healthcare." "It is, however, shocking and kind of outrageous," Saini added. "Our system has been structured for many years on the basis of private health plans and very deep dysfunction politically and within the medical industry. Americans have been facing this mammoth problem. It was there during, and looks like it's going to be after, the pandemic... Americans want, and need I'd say, a radically better healthcare system."

Publication: Common Dreams

Date Published: March 31, 2021

Author(s): Jake Johnson

View This Resource

This analysis of California’s state budget from 2007 to 2018 finds that to ensure the long-term health of the state, California needs to eliminate health care waste and direct the savings toward increased funding for programs that improve community conditions—like public education, public health, housing assistance, food assistance, and income support.