Healthcare Glossary

Quality Quest for Health of Illinois

What is the Challenge?

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Most Americans agree that our healthcare system is not working. In fact, nationwide surveys of healthcare consumers consistently show that:

  • Three out of four consumers grade the healthcare system as a "C" or below
  • Nearly half believe the majority of healthcare money is wasted
  • Only a quarter of consumers believe they understand how the healthcare system works

Business as usual

These numbers suggest many of us believe the healthcare system needs simplification, better outcomes for patients, and higher quality and value for the dollars spent.

Yet care continues in much the same way it has operated for decades. We do what we’ve always done: treating illness without focusing on prevention, following the same protocols without measuring results, and receiving treatment without determining the value of the care we receive.

It's time for change

It’s time to change our healthcare system. Recent federal legislation addresses some concerns—in particular those that determine the availability of healthcare to all Americans. However, there is much more to be done. This section provides an overview of some of the specific areas in need of reform and how those changes will make healthcare better for everyone.