Health Care Expenditures
The percent of its GDP that the U.S. spends on health care
18%
The author’s profession before becoming a journalist
Physician
Not covered by any health care plan
Uninsured
Cabinet-level executive branch department created to protect the health of the U.S. people
Department of Health and Human Services
Providers with whom insurers have negotiated prices for certain services
In-Network
Percent growth in health care expenditures between 2020 and 2021
7.2%
Publication the author works for as a journalist
Kaiser Health News or NYTimes
Health care plans that employers purchase for the company’s workforce and their dependents.
Employer-Sponsored Insurance
Comprehensive health care reform law enacted in March 2010
The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare acceptable)
The amount that a health insurance plan enrollee must pay before the plan starts to pay for most covered items and services
deductible
Share of Americans that account for 20% of health care spending
5%
Number of rules for a dysfunctional medical market the author presents
10
Federal health insurance program generally for people who are 65 and older
Medicare
July 2025 bill that reduced Medicaid funding
One Big Beautiful Bill Act
The fixed dollar amount that enrollees must pay toward the cost of an item or service that they use and that the health insurance plan covers
copayment
The percent of health care spending in the U.S. on hospitals
31%
The author’s chief complaint about U.S. health care
Hugely Expensive Medical Care that Doesn’t Deliver
Federal and state health insurance program for low-income and disabled people
Medicaid
Current Director of the National Institutes of Health
Jay Bhattacharya
The fixed percentage of payment for a covered item or service that an enrollee must contribute
co-insurance
The percent of health care spending in the U.S. on pharmaceuticals
8.8%
Topic of Part II of the book (which we won't read in class)
Diagnosis and Treatment
Health care plans that people may purchase directly from insurers or through insurance exchanges
Nongroup plans
Subsidies at the center of debates that led to the 2025 government shutdown
Enhanced premium tax credits (enhanced health insurance subsidies also accepted)
The amount insurance will pay for covered health care services with physicians, hospitals, and other health care providers
allowed amount