As Americans watch dire predictions of 100,000 to 240,000 deaths in the United States materialize around us, those who have studied this country's health care system see the causes of the catastrophe as rooted in decades of policy decisions that prioritize medical care for individuals at the expense of public health.
Yet, here we are, with each day's news carrying more terrifying stories about the potential of rationing the use of ICU beds and ventilators, while COVID-19 cases overwhelm existing hospital resources. The approximately $275 per person per year we spend on public health is not enough—not enough to have timely, universal testing for emerging infections; standardized protocols for coordinated data collection and contact tracing to quickly and accurately identify early exposures to infected individuals; and clear, consistent public messaging about risks and prevention strategies to maintain the public's health in the face of outbreaks.
That's what a for profit medical system gets us. The hospitals care only about the bottom line. They do care about being prepared for a pandemic. So they dont keep alot of PPE available for situations such as we're in right now. They relied on the federal government instead.
Where exactly is this happening?