It’s no great secret that our healthcare system is broken.

While a tired joke about American school shootings goes “there is no way to stop this, says only country that can’t stop this,” the same cannot be said of healthcare.

Our system is famously busted — in keeping with the grand American tradition of doing everything bigger than anyone else — but we are far from the only nation where the inadequacies of a healthcare system holds back health and happiness of the citizenry.

Critics are quick to point out issues with socialized healthcare in England and Canada, highlighting their prolonged wait times in particular — which is further amplified by every specialist you need.

The choice, as presented to us, appears to be between “you can get care but it will probably bankrupt you” and “you might not get care before it’s too late, but you won’t go bankrupt.”

Is it crazy to say that people deserve better?

For all of America’s bluster about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, we would challenge anyone to defend our current system’s place in that hierarchy.

Perhaps you could offer some kind of cynical Greek tragedy-style response about how we wish for life but not the health to enjoy it.

And yet, despite the near-constant stream of horror stories — some of which are being spotlighted by news media as the ACA subsidies are set to expire — nobody in a position of power seems inclined to do anything about it.

With politicians, always do two things: look at what they do, not what they say; and follow the money.

What do they do? Nothing. They gripe and take shots at one another, but when it comes to actually doing things, it’s crickets for healthcare.

What money is involved? Some $24.6 million in health insurance PAC contributions in the 2023-2024 election cycle alone, according to Open Secrets, a research group which provides data on money in US politics.

And lest anyone think this is playing politics, both parties received well over $10 million each.

We have stated before that the concept of money in health is flawed: our thesis being that in a world driven by supply and demand, your health is priceless and thus can be exploited for extreme profit.

Yes, someone must pay. That is absolutely true. But there are more types of costs than the mere financial.

At what point do the costs in human misery matter — costs paid in bodies, in tears, and in missed memories?

The answer from on high appears to be that such a point does not exist.

But ultimately, as Americans get squeezed more and more with each passing year, accumulating an ever-increasing amount of traumatic experiences either personally or through loved ones, the appetite for change will eventually flourish.

Sooner or later, we must break through the stasis and get our leaders to start trying things. Maybe they won’t work. Maybe they’ll make things worse.

But if we never try, we are doomed to be a nation condemned to sickness and debt.

As the richest nation on the planet, we simply must do better. The lives — and livelihoods — of hundreds of millions depend on it.