Unmet healthcare needs, defined as the difference between the healthcare services deemed necessary and those actually received, are an important measure of healthcare accessibility. An international study compared the
, and the U.S. emerged as having the most costly and inefficient healthcare system. Furthermore, the U.S. had the worst ranking in every cost-related access measure. The findings were consistent with numerous U.S. polls that emphasized the difficulty that many Americans have in paying for and receiving needed health care. In 2022, nearly three out of ten U.S. adults
in the past year. Various socioeconomic, demographic, and regional factors are also related to barriers to healthcare access and affordability. The likelihood of U.S. adults reporting unmet needs owing to healthcare costs was higher in non-expansion Medicaid states, and the disparity between racial groups was even larger.
Reasons for unmet medical needs
Unmet healthcare needs can arise from a range of complex circumstances, such as personal preference,
financial constraints, or a lack of resources, and each of these factors implies a distinct policy approach. Excessive treatment expenses, long waiting times to receive care, being unable to take time off work or caring for children or others, or having to travel too far to receive care are some of the most common reasons given by Americans for unmet care. Cost-cutting is particularly common among lower-income groups and the uninsured population.
Medical debt, limited health insurance coverage, and expensive out-of-pocket expenses are significant obstacles to seeking timely medical care. Although, the
Affordable Care Act (ACA) adoption did bring much-needed relief to millions of Americans by lowering the uninsured rate to a record low in 2022. One issue it has not been able to address is the excessive costs of health care in the U.S. by introducing and enacting regulations similar to those used in other nations to manage healthcare spending.
Unmet mental health needs
Nearly one in five Americans today is living with a
mental health condition, making it a widespread health issue in the country. The prevalence of mental illness in the U.S. is significantly
higher among females and young adults. Over a quarter of U.S. college students have been diagnosed with depression and a further 33 percent with anxiety. According to the most recent Mental Health America (MHA) research, more than half of U.S. adults who have a mental illness go without treatment. The study also revealed increased disparities in mental healthcare service availability and utilization across different U.S. states. Over 5.5 million Americans with mental disorders are uninsured.
Uninsured adults are more likely to forgo needed medical care. For many
people with mental illnesses who reported having unmet needs for mental health treatment, the cost of care continues to be a substantial barrier.
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