ABSTRACT
Healthcare in the United States is like A Tale of Two Cities. What people see depends on where they look and what they are looking for. With respect to creating new medical devices and procedures, doing research on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), developing pharmaceutical drugs, and other technical innovations, the United States leads the world. But in the execution and delivery of healthcare services, the United States has the highest cost in the world by far, and its health outcomes, such as longevity, are middle of the pack at best. This narrative examines the problems that explain this dichotomy between spending and outcomes. More importantly, it offers a comprehensive solution that should improve people’s health, ensure healthcare dollars are spent wisely, and enhance the performance of the healthcare delivery system. Before getting started, some definitions are appropriate:
1. Health is the overall condition of a person’s body and mind, and good health is a state of physical and mental well-being. It is not simply the absence of disease or infirmity. Someone in good health would have a good quality of life and longevity.
