Rising Healthcare Costs and Financial Barriers to Access National Healthcare Issue/ stressor essay
Walden University NURS-6053 Module 1: Discussion Review of Current Healthcare Issues – Rising Healthcare Costs and Financial Barriers to Access National Healthcare Issue/ stressor essay
Rising Healthcare Costs
Rising healthcare costs in the United States represent a significant national issue, impacting healthcare delivery, access, and financial sustainability. In 2023, national health expenditures reached $4.9 trillion, reflecting a 7.5% increase from the previous year and accounting for 17.6% of the U.S. gross domestic product (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS], 2023). Several factors contribute to this escalation, including increased utilization of medical services, higher prescription drug prices, advanced medical technologies, and administrative costs. These rising expenses place financial strain on healthcare systems, patients, and providers, leading to disparities in access and quality of care (Martin et al., 2025). Healthcare organizations face growing pressure to balance cost containment with the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered services.
How It May Impact My Workplace Setting
Rising healthcare costs directly affect my workplace setting by increasing operational expenses, creating resource limitations, and intensifying staff workload. According to Kiss et al. (2023), budget constraints can lead to staff reductions, limited access to advanced medical technologies, and the postponement of non-urgent services. I have observed increased patient-to-nurse ratios, which compromise the quality of care and elevate the risk of errors. For example, nurses in my unit are often assigned more patients than the recommended ratio, reducing the time available for individualized care. Additionally, financial pressures have resulted in the postponement of equipment upgrades, forcing staff to rely on outdated technology that may hinder efficiency. Rising costs also impact patient access, as many individuals delay care due to high out-of-pocket expenses, leading to worsened health outcomes and increased reliance on emergency services.
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Social Determinant Most Affecting Healthcare Costs
Income and socioeconomic status are the social determinants most significantly affecting the impact of rising healthcare costs. Individuals with lower incomes often struggle to afford healthcare services, medications, and insurance premiums, leading to delayed or foregone care. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (2023), nearly one in four adults in the U.S. reported skipping or delaying medical care in the past year due to cost concerns. This financial barrier disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, exacerbating health disparities and increasing the demand for safety-net services. Geographic location also influences healthcare access, particularly in rural areas where medical facilities may be scarce, and travel expenses further complicate access to care. These social determinants contribute to a cycle of poor health outcomes and increased healthcare utilization, placing additional strain on the healthcare system.
How My Healthcare System Has Responded to the Healthcare Issue and Changes
My healthcare system has implemented several strategies to address rising healthcare costs while maintaining quality care. One significant initiative includes the adoption of value-based care models, which focus on improving patient outcomes while controlling costs (Leao et al., 2023). This approach incentivizes providers to deliver evidence-based, efficient care, reducing unnecessary procedures and hospital readmissions. In my workplace, multidisciplinary care teams have been established to coordinate treatment plans, improving communication and reducing duplication of services. Telehealth services have also been expanded, allowing patients to access care remotely, which reduces operational costs and improves patient convenience. For instance, the implementation of virtual follow-up appointments for chronic disease management has decreased hospital readmissions by 15% over the past year.
Additionally, my healthcare system has prioritized staff training on cost-effective care delivery, emphasizing evidence-based practices and resource optimization. Cost-saving measures, such as bulk purchasing of medical supplies and streamlining administrative processes, have been implemented to reduce overhead expenses (Hinrichs-Krapels et al., 2022). Despite these efforts, the facility still faces challenges in balancing cost containment with staff satisfaction and patient-centered care. Continued investment in technology, staff support, and community outreach programs are essential to address the long-term impact of rising healthcare costs on both patients and healthcare providers.
References
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2023). National Health Expenditures 2023 Highlights. Health Affairs. https://www.cms.gov/files/document/highlights.pdfLinks to an external site.
Hinrichs-Krapels, S., Ditewig, B., Boulding, H., Chalkidou, A., Erskine, J., & Shokraneh, F. (2022). Purchasing high-cost medical devices and equipment in hospitals: a systematic review. BMJ open, 12(9), e057516. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057516Links to an external site.
Kaiser Family Foundation. (2024, May 28). Health care affordability: Key facts. https://www.kff.org/health-costs/issue-brief/health-care-affordability-key-facts/Links to an external site.
Kiss, A., Kiss, N., & Váradi, B. (2023). Do budget constraints limit access to health care? Evidence from PCI treatments in Hungary. International Journal of Health Economics and Management, 23(2), 281-302. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10754-023-09349-wLinks to an external site.
Leao, D. L., Cremers, H. P., van Veghel, D., Pavlova, M., & Groot, W. (2023). The impact of value-based payment models for networks of care and transmural care: a systematic literature review. Applied Health Economics and Health Policy, 21(3), 441-466. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40258-023-00790-zLinks to an external site.
Martin, A. B., Hartman, M., Washington, B., Catlin, A., & National Health Expenditure Accounts Team. (2025). National Health Expenditures In 2023: Faster Growth As Insurance Coverage And Utilization Increased: Article examines National Health Expenditures in
Walden University NURS-6053 Module 1: Discussion Review of Current Healthcare Issues – Rising Healthcare Costs and Financial Barriers to Access National Healthcare Issue/ stressor essay
National Healthcare Issue: Rising Healthcare Costs and Financial Barriers to Access
One of the most pressing national healthcare issues today is the rising cost of healthcare and the financial barriers that prevent patients from accessing necessary medical services. Healthcare costs continue to increase due to factors such as expensive medical technologies, administrative inefficiencies, and the high prices of prescription drugs (Slonim, 2023). These financial burdens disproportionately affect low-income individuals, leading to disparities in health outcomes.
Impact on Work Setting
In my healthcare setting, rising costs have led to increased financial strain on patients, resulting in delayed care, medication non-adherence, and higher rates of preventable hospitalizations. Many patients struggle with out-of-pocket expenses, making it difficult to follow through with recommended treatments. Additionally, healthcare providers face administrative challenges related to insurance processing and billing, further complicating patient access to timely care (Carter & Busby, 2023).
Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Affecting Healthcare Costs
Economic stability, insurance coverage, and education play significant roles in patients’ ability to afford healthcare. Uninsured and underinsured individuals are more likely to forego necessary medical care, worsening health conditions over time. Additionally, individuals with lower health literacy may not fully understand their healthcare options or how to navigate insurance systems effectively (Amalberti et al., 2019).
Health System Response and Implemented Changes
My healthcare institution has implemented several strategies to address financial barriers to care. One initiative includes expanding financial assistance programs and offering sliding-scale payment options for low-income patients. Additionally, efforts have been made to improve price transparency, ensuring that patients understand the costs associated with their treatments before receiving care.
Another key initiative has been the integration of value-based care models, which focus on improving patient outcomes while reducing unnecessary healthcare expenditures. By emphasizing preventive care and chronic disease management, the healthcare system aims to lower overall costs and minimize the need for expensive emergency interventions (Slonim, 2023). Furthermore, legislative efforts such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have played a critical role in increasing insurance coverage and reducing the number of uninsured individuals (Kominski, Nonzee, & Sorensen, 2017).
Conclusion
Rising healthcare costs present a significant challenge to patient access and overall public health. While my healthcare setting has taken steps to mitigate financial barriers, continued policy reforms, investment in preventive care, and efforts to control prescription drug pricing are essential for long-term improvement. Addressing these financial challenges is crucial to ensuring equitable healthcare access for all individuals.
References
Amalberti, R., Vincent, C., Nicklin, W., & Braithwaite, J. (2019). Coping with more people with more illness Part 1: The nature of the challenge and the implications for safety and quality. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 31(2), 154–158.
Carter, M. W., & Busby, C. R. (2023). How can operational research make a real difference in healthcare? Challenges of implementation. European Journal of Operational Research, 306(3), 1059–1068.
Kominski, G. F., Nonzee, N. J., & Sorensen, A. (2017). The Affordable Care Act’s impacts on access to insurance and health care for low-income populations. Annual Review of Public Health, 38, 489-505.
Slonim, A. (2023). Top challenges facing healthcare: Back to basics. Physician Leadership Journal, 10(2), 12–14. https://doi.org/10.55834/plj.2064149664.
Xu, T., & Wickizer, T. (2020). The impact of Medicaid expansion on healthcare access, affordability, and financial security for low-income families. Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law, 45(1), 5-27.
Walden University NURS-6053 Module 1: Discussion Review of Current Healthcare Issues – Rising Healthcare Costs and Financial Barriers to Access National Healthcare Issue/ stressor essay
Healthcare issue: The High Cost of Healthcare
For many decades, one of the greatest obstacles facing the US healthcare system has been the exorbitant expense of medical care. It is a major national problem that impacts the economy, families, and individuals (Steinreich, 2022).
Social determinants of health
The high cost of healthcare has led to significant problems in terms of socioeconomic determinants. Social variables like socioeconomic level, education, insurance coverage, cultural views, and accessibility to medical services are contributing factors to the rising expense of healthcare (KFF, 2025). People in rural areas with little to no access to healthcare facilities, as well as individuals from lower-income families, frequently struggle to get the healthcare they need, which causes delays in treatment and, eventually, higher expenses. The high costs and high percentage of underinsured or uninsured individuals put many people at risk of becoming bankrupt in the event of a catastrophic illness, according to Harvard professor Dr. Shmerling, MD. He also emphasized that the United States does poorly on several key health measures, including life expectancy, preventable hospital admissions, suicide, and maternal mortality, while spending significantly more on healthcare than other high-income nations. In other words, the US healthcare system is not the greatest, despite its high cost. In addition, Americans are dissatisfied with the current state of the healthcare system despite all that investment (Shmerling, 2021).
How your health system work setting has responded to the healthcare issue
The Division of Public Health in Delaware offers services to uninsured adults and children, as well as those on Medicaid, at minimal or no cost, contingent upon income. We offer cost-effective immunizations for children and treatments for infectious disease control, including tuberculosis for immigrants or anyone at risk of exposure, as well as sexual and reproductive health services. For individuals who lack access to healthcare due to prohibitive costs and limited availability of healthcare facilities, we offer a community mobile unit that operates from Monday to Saturday, providing services such as blood pressure and cholesterol monitoring, HIV and other sexually transmitted disease testing, lead screening, and immunizations.
Conclusion,
Debates on how to address the high cost of healthcare issues such as insurance reform, government-provided health coverage, drug price regulation, and the sustainability of the healthcare system have been ongoing for decades. Although the Affordable Care Act was introduced, it has had little to no effect on these issues. To guarantee that everyone has access to competent and reasonably priced healthcare without experiencing financial hardship, these issues necessitate comprehensive policy adjustments.
Telesford, I. Links to an external site.WingerLinks to an external site., A. & Rae, M. (2024). Beyond cost, what barriers do health care consumers
face? (Peterson-KFF) https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collection/beyond-cost-what-barriers-toLinks to an external site.. (February 24, 2025).
Steinreich, D. (2022). Big Med: Megaproviders and the High Cost of Health Care in
America. Quarterly Journal of Austrian Economics, 25(2), 501–528.
https://doi.org/10.35297/qjae.010135
Shmerling, R. (2021). Is our healthcare system broken? Harvard Health publishing
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-our-healthcare-system-broken-202107132542Links to an external site. (February 24, 2025). Walden University NURS-6053 Module 1: Discussion Review of Current Healthcare Issues – Rising Healthcare Costs and Financial Barriers to Access National Healthcare Issue/ stressor essay
