Guess which country pays the most for health care

If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, you better stock up on apples. The deadline for open enrollment for health care coverage is here and millions of Americans are bracing themselves for significant increases in their 2026 premiums. According to PBS, those who enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace without the premium tax credit can expect an average of 18% increase. And in some can more than double.

THE U.S. HAS THE HIGHEST PREMIUMS IN THE WORLDAmericans pay far more in health care premiums per capita than any other country in the world. Statistics suggest that lower health care premiums result in more office visits per year and higher life expectancy.

HEALTH CARE WOESSince 1970, the total amount of money spent on medical goods, services and treatments per capita has increased by more than fourfold.

HEALTH CARE EXTREMESAccording to a 2024 health care report by Renew Bariatrics, health care across the U.S. has different health care regulations and guidelines. Understanding which states provide good health care and which don’t is determined by three main factors: affordability, availability and result, or outcome.

Sources: World Population Review; Worldometer; Visual Capitalist (2023); The Commonwealth Fund, 2023; Renew Bariatrics

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