The US spends more per capita on health than any other country and health care is vastly more expensive for citizens than anywhere else. Can it learn anything from European systems?
The steep cost of health care remains a thorny political issue in the United States.
Disagreement over the extension of health care subsidies was at the center of the recent 43-day government shutdown. And President Donald Trump's approval ratings have been severely hit by cost of living concerns, including on the soaring cost of health care.
Trump has consistently promised to cut costs and this week was expected to announce details of a new plan regarding the possible extension of subsidies from the Affordable Care Act, often referred to as Obamacare.
However, the announcement was postponed amid uncertainty over precisely what he is planning.
"Somebody said I want to extend them [subsidies] for two years," Trump said on November 25. "I don't want to extend them for two years. I'd rather not extend them at all."
Health care is a highly controversial issue in US politics Image: Getty Images/J.
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