Quality healthcare should be more than a dream

More than just a dream. That is what quality healthcare should be. However, here in 2026, it is still one of the greatest challenges of our time. And that is an understatement. There are some positive changes in the national discussion. And they have been happening for the past year. However, there is still a long way to go. Furthermore, it’s going to take effort and consistency if we really want to create positive change.

That’s an example of the small talk associated with the subject of healthcare. And that’s how it happens in the USA. The intent and context of this article is associated with discussions in the United States. It’s no secret that no one can afford health insurance. Not under the current system. Furthermore, it’s been broken for many years. It doesn’t take an economist to figure that out either. All it really takes is one older American. Put a roomful of them together and the details of the broken system will come right out.

In fact, a real world comparison is possible with the older American. Particularly those that can remember the way things were in 1986. Things are not better with the healthcare system now, than they were then. Even with the advanced knowledge of today’s world, the system is no better now, than it was then. However, this is in regard to the system. Furthermore, the system and quality healthcare, are not one in the same.

Quality Healthcare

There are many opinions about this topic. This article is an opinion article, based on first hand experience, over the course of decades. It’s tough to watch something devolve over the course of time, and not form an opinion or two as to why. Recently more things have come to light about a seriously broken system. Which system? Take your pick. In fact, depending on the special interest behind the system, it’s hard to say what is the system, and what’s just plain fraud.

Now there’s a word everyone hears a lot of these days. Particularly with regard to systems, and things related to healthcare. For an interesting perspective on this topic, ask any AI where the United States ranks in healthcare, compared to other countries throughout the world. The results are not shocking. Unsettling, but not shocking. That’s another side effect of the decline in the quality of healthcare. Furthermore, for this being an opinion, it’s not an unpopular one.

Healthcare Observation

It isn’t just the older generation that observes these changes. The older generations have always passed along experiences and knowledge. Especially with the younger generations. In fact, one of the finest old southern traditions in this area, is chillin’ on the front porch in the early evenings of the summertime. It was very popular in the seventies and eighties for sharing in the family. These face to face conversations were pure gold.

Is quality healthcare more than a dream? Some might say no, because all it takes is enough money. However, is that really true? If a system isn’t built to achieve a quality outcome in the first place, is more money going to make a difference? Apparently not. Empirically it doesn’t appear to make a difference. This is more than a systemic issue. This is about core values. Once upon a time being a doctor meant things like, preventative medicine, was always at play.

More Than A Dream

Diagnosis in those days meant listening to the patient rather than solely relying on lab reports. Of course it was also a matter of the doctor being familiar with the patient. And in some cases familiar with an entire family history. It was more individualized and personal. It was still imperfect and far too expensive. However, in comparison with today’s model, it was simply better. Maybe that was due to the nature of the Doctor/ Patient relationship. Perhaps there were other, extenuating, circumstances.

Quality healthcare is more than a dream. It’s always been a high priority. Just look at the story of Star Trek. The original series. There was a doctor along for almost every away mission. No matter what crazy world it was, Bones (Dr. McCoy) was there. Actually, every Star Trek series had a doctor as one of the main characters. That’s proof that there is a dream for quality healthcare. The doctor is always one of the heroes. Maybe soon we can turn that dream into a reality. Thanks for reading.

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