The Illusion of Choice And Why Americans Don’t Actually Have a Healthcare System

Americans are often told that we have options. There is a choice in the coverage we can get, the provider, and more. That is an illusion because when half of those paths could lead you to facing denials and delays, or even financial ruin, what choice is there really?

We are told to compare the plans available and then shop around to find the perfect fit. Pick the best network, choose the right deductible. But in what world does the average American understand all the intricate details and fine print of an insurance plan? We don’t study it in school. Very few research it afterward. 

And where is the choice if the cheapest plan still leaves you with huge deductibles and high fees? Or if your medication is not on the formulary put forward by the insurance company? When your doctor has little to no say in your care? 

We are told we have all of these options, but really, that is not the reality. 

A Billing System Disguised as Healthcare 

America doesn’t have a healthcare system. We have a billing system. The focus on profits overrides the humanitarian aspect of healthcare. You are seen as a liability and not a human being. 

But the illusion of choice keeps the population believing in the system and thinking that it's working even when it is actually failing them. 

The Cost of Survival

It is a well-known fact that healthcare in America is expensive. Nobody can deny that. The costs of medications and services have absolutely skyrocketed. Take a look at insulin. When it was first invented in the 20s, it cost $3. It saved lives. Now you could spend hundreds on a single vial. 

Emergency care is avoided by so many, as many fear the bill more than the pain. An ambulance ride alone could cost $1500. The ER visit? $2000 to $5000 even if you have insurance. Where does the choice exist in that? People sometimes drive themselves to the ER during heart attacks simply to avoid the bill. 

The Administration

Then we face the complexity of the admin involved. Needing to call your insurance provider multiple times to confirm coverage. Negotiating bills and searching for duplicate fees or incorrect codes. Appealing denials, sometimes more than once. 

The worst part about it all is that the system was designed this way. To maximize profit and limit access. To make people believe they have control. To make them believe that the healthcare system works and works well. To make them think they have a choice, when really, they don't.