Final answer:
From 1960 to 2020, the US health insurance system has spurred healthcare technology innovation while struggling with high costs and ensuring widespread access. Efforts such as telemedicine, AI, and the Affordable Care Act have sought to improve efficiency and affordability, but challenges in equal access and health outcomes persist.
Step-by-step explanation:
The effect of the US health insurance system on healthcare technology changes from 1960-2020 has been significant. The private health insurance model in the United States has driven a high level of healthcare technology innovation and development, with a focus on life-saving advancements and quality of care. However, this system has also faced challenges with controlling costs and ensuring equal access to medical care for all citizens.
In an effort to improve efficiency, the US healthcare system has witnessed a shift towards mass production models, with mergers increasing in the 1990s leading to larger healthcare systems. The introduction of telemedicine, new healthcare professional roles, insurance mandates, and artificial intelligence also exemplified this trend towards innovation and efficiency.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, aimed to address some of these issues by making healthcare insurance more affordable and reducing overall healthcare costs. Despite these efforts, healthcare spending continued to grow, and health outcomes in the US remained poorer compared to other high-income countries. As of 2015, a significant portion of the non-elderly adult population in the US was still without insurance.