California boasts an impressive health care system, renowned for its quality and innovation. Yet, beneath the gleaming facade lies a stark reality: access to this quality care remains elusive for far too many Californians. In a state that prides itself on progressiveness and inclusivity, the persistent gap between health care quality and accessibility is not just a disappointment; it’s a failure of our societal obligation to care for all residents of the Golden State.
One cannot deny California’s strides in health care quality. In fact, U.S. News and World Report ranks California fourth in the nation on health care quality.
Renowned medical institutions dote in its landscape; pioneering research and cutting-edge treatments are undeniably robust. However, California is failing at health care accessibility ranking 34th in the nation – and these advancements mean little to those who cannot access them.
The paradox of California’s health care system lies in its glaring disparities. While some enjoy world-class care, many are left behind, unable to afford or access even basic services. Rural communities struggle with physician shortages, leaving residents hours away from the nearest hospital. Urban areas, too, face challenges, with underserved populations lacking affordable clinics and facing long wait times for specialist care.
At the heart of California’s health care conundrum lies the issue of affordability. Despite the state’s prosperity, health care costs continue to soar, placing a heavy burden on individuals and families. As insurers attempt to control costs, they utilize tools that put arbitrary assessments on which patients should receive care and prioritize which conditions to treat when allocating health care resources.
Tools like the Quality Adjusted Life Year create value metrics that result in treatments being denied, which is discriminatory under federal law. The result is a health care system that exacerbates rather than alleviates inequality. California must prioritize systemic reforms that prioritize equity, inclusivity and eliminate discrimination.
California ranks a stunning 48th on adult wellness visits where regular care would be able to discover health-related issues well in advance of them becoming chronic or life altering. Ben Franklin is quoted as saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” and none is more evident than in access to advanced medicine that can prevent an illness from worsening. However, as long as patients are being denied care by insurers, we cannot guarantee they can cure or at least manage their disease. We’re actually increasing the likelihood of it becoming chronic, which ultimately leads to higher costs for the entire health care system.
As we confront the challenges of the 21st century, California must lead by example, demonstrating that quality health care is not a privilege reserved for the few but a fundamental right for all. By embracing health care access and removing tools, like QALYs that only serve as barriers to care, the Golden State can redefine the future of healthcare. Thus, ensuring that every Californian has the opportunity to live a healthy and fulfilling life.
Julie Gill Shuffield is the executive director of a newly founded consumer and patient group, Patients Come First. She can be reached at jshuffield@patientscomefirst.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: California’s health care conundrum: Providing quality without access
