The worst states to get sick in, as ranked by stem cell treatment company Auragens. Alaska's health care costs and infection rates in hospitals gave it a low rating.
According to the latest report on health care quality across America, Alaska ranks as the second worst in terms of several factors. A study by the stem cell treatment center called Auragens examined health care systems in all 50 states, comparing safety, response time, and medical bills.
New York ranked the worst state to get sick in America. In New York, medical expenses reach $14,000 per person and emergency rooms taking three hours to see patients. Alaska ranks second-worst, charging $13,600 for health care. Alaska was found to have the highest infection rates in the country. Delaware has the longest emergency room waiting times in the country, making sick people sit for more than three hours before getting treatment.
The research measured each state using multiple health care indicators. This included doctor availability per 100,000 residents, medical costs, emergency room wait times, and hospital safety ratings. The study also tracked hospital-acquired infection rates, showing how often patients catch illnesses during treatment. The study also analyzed patient satisfaction scores for communication and cleanliness.
Alaska hospitals record a 0.84 infection score, the worst in the United States, which means when patients go in for treatment, they face a risk of catching something in a medical facility. This problem reflects broader health safety issues in Alaska, with only 14% of hospitals meeting proper safety benchmarks.
"Health care costs in America have nearly doubled over the past decade, going from $3.1 trillion to $5.3 trillion. But paying more hasn't improved service. Emergency room wait times have tripled since the pandemic, and as our research shows, in some states, patients have to wait for around 3 hours to see a doctor. Higher costs should mean better access, but the opposite is happening," said Dr. Dan Briggs, president and CEO of Auragens.
This past November, the University of Alaska reported it is anticipating an increase of up to 10% for health care costs this fiscal year, on par with what employers are anticipating nationally. Nikole Conley, who is the chief of human resources for the university system, outlined the university system's health care costs and projections for the rest of the fiscal year, which ends in July 2026.
The university is projecting 8% to 10% overall cost increases across the system for this fiscal year. That means health coverage for 3,442 employees is estimated to cost $85.5 million. Conley said employers nationwide are expecting around 8.5% higher medical costs and 11% higher pharmacy costs this year. The experience by the University of Alaska mirrors national trends, with cost increases remaining elevated, especially for prescription drugs.
An email to the Alaska Hospital and Healthcare Association asking for comment was not returned before deadline. The organization hosts a quality summit every year and has several initiatives to improve health care, including infection prevention trainings and resources. Register here for the quality summit April 15-16 in Anchorage.
John Schieszer is an award-winning national journalist and radio and podcast broadcaster of The Medical Minute.
