The 10 States With the Worst Health Care in America—and the 10 With the Best, Based on Data
America’s most pressing issue is access to quality health care. The disparity between the best and worst healthcare systems across the nation is jaw-dropping, and it impacts everything from our lives to the length of our lives and the financial security we enjoy as residents.
The top 10 states in health care and the ten that struggle most are revealed using WalletHub’s comprehensive 2024 report, which ranks states on 44 metrics across cost, access, and outcomes. These rankings are simple to understand, and they will provide policymakers, business stakeholders, or just someone curious about their state’s position with a clear understanding of health care in America today.
Worst Health Care Systems: Mississippi (46.01)
Mississippi is at the bottom of the healthcare performance barrel. Rural hospital closures, some of the nation’s highest rates of obesity, infant mortality, limited access, poor health outcomes, and high costs plague the state.
Chris F., a Medicare expert, says lifestyle factors, including food culture, contribute to adverse health outcomes in this state.
Alabama (48.19)
Healthcare access in Alabama is also steep. Limited Medicaid expansion and deficiencies in the number of healthcare providers in rural areas exacerbate the problem.
Issues such as chronic disease prevalence among the residents contribute to its ranking in outcomes.
West Virginia (48.46)
West Virginia has an elderly population with high healthcare needs yet limited resources to provide for those needs.
The state experiences high smoking rates with economic challenges, which have a significant impact on their health outcomes.
Georgia (48.61)
In Georgia, there is a particularly stark urban-rural divide in healthcare access. One of the lowest rates of insurance coverage in the entire country for a state to contend with means many are vulnerable to life-threatening medical bills or untreated illnesses.
Oklahoma (48.93)
Oklahoma ranks among the lowest in the nation for life expectancy and has among the highest rates of preventable conditions and insufficient primary care access.
Alaska (49.13)
With stunning views, Alaska struggles to deliver healthcare because of its remote location. Due to limited infrastructure and a scattered population, the service is difficult to access, but especially so for indigenous communities that experience distinct health disparities.
Texas (49.39)
With the second highest number of residents, a shortage of Medicaid expansion, and a high uninsured population, Texas is a state with a large population that can’t access affordable health care.
Arkansas (49.48)
The current state of things leaves a medical provider in shortage with high rates of preventable disease in Arkansas to add to an already underfunded healthcare system.
Louisiana (50.38)
Louisiana struggles with high poverty rates and extreme health disparities. The state also has very high rates of chronic illnesses that affect life expectancy and overall health outcomes.
Florida (50.77)
Even though Florida is a retirement hub, marked inequalities exist in access to and cost of health care across the state’s regions. Residents report challenges accessing affordable, high-quality care.
One common theme among the states included is the difficulty of providing care to rural and underserved areas. These factors are compounded by other factors such as low insurance coverage, geographic barriers, and lifestyle-related conditions.
Best Health Care Systems: Minnesota (67.38)
Minnesota leads with high marks on affordability, access, and outcomes. A high density of healthcare providers and innovative programs that promote preventative care and foster healthier communities save the state money.
Rhode Island (67.00)
Luckily, Rhode Island ranks first for healthcare access due to its dense population of doctors and nurses. The state also emphasizes vaccinations and prevention, which results in good health.
South Dakota (65.47)
South Dakota’s residents have some of the lowest out-of-pocket and inpatient day medical costs. However, better access to care in rural areas could strengthen its overall position.
Iowa (65.09)
Iowa maintains low medical expenses because it ranks highest in cost-effectiveness. Nevertheless, it has considerable room for growth in underserved areas.
New Hampshire (64.08)
New Hampshire’s high educational attainment and commitment to preventive healthcare yield strong healthcare outcomes. However, there are nonetheless concerns about costs.
Massachusetts (64.05)
Massachusetts, home to world-famous medical and academic institutions, gets high marks in both outcomes and access. Strong state-level policies and technologies keep its healthcare system going.
Utah (63.79)
Utah residents have the best healthcare outcomes. The state has relatively young and active populations and successfully minimizes preventable diseases.
Vermont (63.64)
Vermont has successfully ensured its citizens’ health, contributing to prolonged life expectancy and low chronic disease rates. Strong public health initiatives have helped.
Maine (63.60)
Maine’s robust healthcare networks and strong state policies ensure residents get high-quality care. But if Maine wants to stay in the game, it must tackle the challenges of an aging population.
Colorado (62.60)
Colorado residents enjoy some of the healthiest lifestyles in the nation, and their health outcomes are among the best. However, access to care is a problem in some areas.
The best healthcare in the world focuses on accessibility, prevention, and cost control. Proactive policies help initiate intervention early on so that the costs of residents and providers over the long haul can be inhibited.
Many of the disparities in this 2024 ranking serve as a clarion call for reform and investment in the U.S. healthcare system. Promoting policy changes and taking proactive steps to public health have the power to change states’ rankings—and the lives of their residents. Want more healthcare data or policy insights? Take a look at resources at Becker’s Healthcare or Statista.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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