Why Healthcare Still Feels So Complicated in America | Thomas Kane Keep IT Simple

You don’t need to be a policy expert to know that American healthcare is expensive, confusing, and frustrating. Whether you’ve tried to pick an insurance plan, schedule a specialist, or just get a straight answer about a bill—you’ve likely wondered: why is it always this hard?

The U.S. has some of the most advanced medical technology and top hospitals in the world. And yet, millions of people still avoid going to the doctor because they can’t afford it—or don’t know what their insurance will cover.

Let’s break it down.

The Core Problem: It’s Not Built to Be Simple

American healthcare isn’t one system—it’s a patchwork of private companies, public programs, and thousands of providers, all doing things a little differently. That’s part of the confusion.

Here’s what’s really driving the chaos:

• Insurance is a maze. Between deductibles, co-pays, out-of-network charges, and surprise bills, even people with “good” insurance are often unsure what they’ll owe.

• Prices vary wildly. The same procedure can cost $500 at one hospital and $5,000 at another—sometimes in the same city.

• Admin overload. Doctors spend as much time on paperwork and billing as they do on patient care. That’s not what anyone went to medical school for.

• Lack of transparency. Patients usually don’t know the cost of care until after it’s delivered—and billed.

Who’s Most Affected in 2025?

• The uninsured. Roughly 25 million Americans still have no health coverage at all, and most of them are working adults who don’t qualify for Medicaid or can’t afford private plans.

• The underinsured. Millions more have insurance, but their deductibles are so high, they avoid seeking care unless it’s an emergency.

• Middle-class families. Rising premiums, prescription costs, and surprise medical bills are draining household budgets—even for those with decent jobs.

And let’s not forget seniors, rural communities, and people with chronic conditions, who face some of the steepest obstacles just to access consistent care.

Is Anything Improving?

Yes—but progress is slow:

• Telehealth is expanding. Especially for mental health, virtual visits are making care more accessible.

• Some states are capping costs. Places like California and Colorado have taken steps to limit out-of-pocket expenses and prescription prices.

• Drug price negotiations have started. Thanks to federal reforms, Medicare can now negotiate prices on certain drugs, which could save billions—but the effects won’t be fully felt until 2026 and beyond.

Still, most Americans feel like they’re walking through a system built for profit, not people.

Thomas Kane’s Take – Keep IT Simple:

Here’s the truth: American healthcare is hard to navigate because it wasn’t designed with patients at the center. It was built by insurers, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies—each trying to get paid.

And while reforms are coming in pieces, it’s not enough to just tweak the edges. We need to redesign the system so people don’t need a PhD to understand their coverage—or go into debt for breaking a bone.

In the meantime, here’s what you can do:

• Ask questions—before the bill comes. You have a right to ask for estimates and explanations.

• Use telehealth when possible. It’s often faster, cheaper, and more flexible.

• Review your insurance yearly. Plans change. Make sure yours still fits your real needs.

Healthcare doesn’t have to be this complicated. We just have to stop accepting that it is.