"Forty days. That's the average wait time in the United States to see a gastroenterologist, according to a 2025 survey by AMN Healthcare. An ob-gyn? You'll wait an average of almost 42 days. Once you see a doctor, you may need to fill a prescription. It's well known that drugs are priced higher in this country-almost three times higher than in 33 other nations, according to a 2024 Rand report."
"Meanwhile, premiums for family health plans rose an average of 6 percent in 2025. And millions of people on Obamacare are facing steep increases if subsidies lapse-a fight that shut down the federal government for a record 43 days. According to a Politico poll in November, "nearly half of adults in the U.S. report finding it 'difficult' or 'very difficult' to afford health care.""
"New Medicaid rules may mean that millions lose coverage. Medical research across the country-work that could lead to treatments for cancer, heart disease, and other maladies-has stopped or been affected by DOGE cuts. And vaccine-policy changes under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may lead to a resurgence in childhood diseases such as whooping cough and measles."
The U.S. healthcare system shows pervasive strain: long specialist wait times, expensive prescription drugs, and rising insurance premiums. Millions risk losing coverage if Medicaid rules change and subsidies lapse. Research funding cuts have halted or disrupted medical studies that could yield treatments for major diseases. Vaccine-policy shifts may contribute to resurgence of preventable childhood illnesses. Financial pressures and policy decisions have intensified access and affordability problems for families. A varied group of Washington policy experts, advocates, and officials are pursuing reforms to lower drug costs, defend coverage, expand primary care access, and protect public health and rural medical infrastructure.
Read at Washingtonian - The website that Washington lives by.
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