There have been many debates addressing the effectiveness of having a “free market” healthcare system in America. America is the only country in the world that has a “free market” allowing suppliers and pharmaceutical companies to charge the amount they choose without any regulation. In other countries, the government will regulate the cost of drugs and not allow pharmaceutical companies to charge what they want. Is it really a free market? An individual living in the United States cannot select their own medication because doctors prescribe them for their patients. Furthermore, a patient cannot search for alternative medications in the market because the insurance provides a limited selection. While that is happening a patient living in the
…show more content…
Whether or not people are using prescription, they are paying taxes to pay for the higher costs of these medications. According to John Rother, President and CEO of National Coalition on Healthcare and former AARP official, the healthcare system needs to change in a way that will empower consumers through transparency. Information will provide patients better alternatives to decide the appropriate treatment and budget accordingly. Marilyn Tavenner, chief executive of America’s Health Insurance Plans, suggests that medications being billed should be evaluated to reflect the true value to patients and the health system (Rockoff, 2016). Many consumers are calling for the United States government to regulate the cost of drugs. There are also many generic drugs that are cheaper than the common drugs in the market that have not been reviewed or approved by the FDA. The Department of Health and Human Services has the right to allow another manufacturer to create cheaper generic medications if there is a problem with public access to a drug that was developed using taxpayer money (Consumer Reports, 2016). There are many fundamental changes that need to take place to effectively begin stopping and reducing the cost of drugs in the United States. Other fundamental changes that need to take place along with drug costs is the implementation of
Whether or not people are using prescription, they are paying taxes to pay for the higher costs of these medications. According to John Rother, President and CEO of National Coalition on Healthcare and former AARP official, the healthcare system needs to change in a way that will empower consumers through transparency. Information will provide patients better alternatives to decide the appropriate treatment and budget accordingly. Marilyn Tavenner, chief executive of America’s Health Insurance Plans, suggests that medications being billed should be evaluated to reflect the true value to patients and the health system (Rockoff, 2016). Many consumers are calling for the United States government to regulate the cost of drugs. There are also many generic drugs that are cheaper than the common drugs in the market that have not been reviewed or approved by the FDA. The Department of Health and Human Services has the right to allow another manufacturer to create cheaper generic medications if there is a problem with public access to a drug that was developed using taxpayer money (Consumer Reports, 2016). There are many fundamental changes that need to take place to effectively begin stopping and reducing the cost of drugs in the United States. Other fundamental changes that need to take place along with drug costs is the implementation of