The High Cost of Healthcare
American healthcare is costly, with expenses equaling almost 18% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), significantly higher than the average of 11.5% among other high-income countries. The US spends more per capita on healthcare than any other country, reaching over $14,000 per person in 2024. That same year, health expenditures in the US surpassed $5.2 trillion.
High out-of-pocket costs, deductibles, and complex drug pricing create significant financial burdens, even for those with insurance. A substantial portion of adults delay or skip necessary medical care & prescriptions due to cost.
High Administrative Costs
In addition to high prices for services & prescription drugs, dealing with numerous private insurers and public agencies also drive up the high overall costs. Fragmented private & public insurance models create severe financial barriers, leading to delayed care and a higher rate of unmanaged chronic conditions. The US ranks last overall in administrative efficiency and care equity among major developed nations.
Incomplete Coverage
Roughly 1 in 10 adults in the US are uninsured despite programs like Medicare, Medicaid, & the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The system’s incomplete coverage leaves millions underinsured or entirely uninsured. Following the expiration of enhanced ACA subsidies, marketplace enrollment plummeted by 2.6 million nationally, with Ohio experiencing a 32% drop.
Health Outcomes
The high cost of American healthcare does not necessarily translate into better overall health outcomes than other developed nations. Americans experience shorter life expectancies and higher rates of avoidable deaths, with deep disparities based on income, race, and geographic location.
The Need for a Single-Payer System
The complex nature of the system, as well as its high costs, has led to ongoing discussions about the future of healthcare in this country, including the need for a single-payer system.
A single-payer system is one where a public or quasi-public agency finances healthcare for all residents. The fundamental need for this system arises from a desire to achieve universal coverage, eliminate massive administrative waste, leverage bulk purchasing power to lower costs, and decouple health insurance from employment.
A single-payer model ensures that every individual has guaranteed health coverage, regardless of employment status, pre-existing conditions, or income, effectively removing the financial barriers that lead to premature morbidity. By consolidating all billing through one entity, the system dramatically reduces the administrative bloat, advertising expenses, and profit margins associated with private insurance companies.
A single government or public agency has the leverage to negotiate lower, standardized prices directly with pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers. Providers bill a single payer instead of navigating dozens of different private networks & restrictive plans, allowing doctors &patients to focus on the best medical decisions rather than billing limitations.
Healthcare for All Ohioans (SPAN Ohio)
The Single-Payer Action Network Ohio (SPAN Ohio) originated in the early 2000s as the Single-Payer Universal Health Care Organizing Committee, formed to educate the public and advocate for single-payer legislation in Ohio. It evolved into SPAN Ohio, a 501(c)4 organization, becoming the central organizing body for single-payer advocacy in the state. It later adopted Healthcare for All Ohioans, organized as a 501(c)3 organization, as its primary public-facing name to better reflect its mission.
Healthcare for All Ohioans (SPAN Ohio) is a statewide coalition of organizations & individuals seeking fundamental health care reform in our state & country. Its mission is to educate & advocate for a fundamental change in our healthcare system so that everyone has affordable access to healthcare through a publicly funded, privately delivered system.
It envisions every resident guaranteed full & comprehensive coverage, including hospitalization, prescriptions, vision care, dental care, mental health care, home care, and long-term care. This vision is not just for Ohioans, but for everyone across the US.
Some of the ways it organizes to educate & advocate include: distributing educational materials, organizing public meetings featuring physicians and others with expertise on health care issues, circulating petitions, and introducing single-payer resolutions to organizations & legislative bodies.
It provides resources & guidance to anyone interested in advancing single-payer healthcare at the state or national level. Individuals can support SPAN by participating in local events & meetings, joining committees or advocacy groups, contacting legislators to support single-payer legislation, and donating or becoming a member.
Become a Member of Healthcare for All Ohioans
Joining Healthcare for All Ohioans will help the organization expand its reach & influence across the state of Ohio. Membership in good standing entitles an individual or designated representative from an organization to vote in SPAN State Council elections, nominate & hold office on SPAN’s State Council, and receive a 25% discount on the Annual Conference registration fee.
Donate
SPAN Ohio is a 501(c)4 organization that supports healthcare bills in the Ohio House and Senate, bringing in professionals to give testimony on disasters, unexpected job losses, and financial medical instability. It also coordinates activities to engage everyday Ohioans in its work. Make a non-tax-deductible donation here.
Healthcare For All Ohioans is a 501(c)3 organization that helps individuals & businesses navigate healthcare through education. Make a tax-deductible donation here.
