[originaltext] (16)In the United States, the social problem presented by hea

(16)In the United States, the social problem presented by health care can be simply stated in this way:(17)for most people, health care costs far too much, and for many people, prompt and adequate care is too difficult to obtain. The United States has the doubtful distinction. It is the only industrialized society in the modern world without having a national health-insurance program.(18)Instead, consumers must buy their health care in much the same way they buy other goods and services such as automobiles or TV repairs. The present health care system has come under such widespread and sustained criticism over the past few years that there is now a general acceptance that some reforms are necessary.(19)But because of the necessary budget for health care, there is little agreement over what shape those reforms should take or how far they should go.
     (19)The costs of medical treatment are very high. The United States today spends more money on health care than any other nation. Medical costs represent over 9 percent of the country’s total production of goods and services. The price of the nation’s total health bill, including doctors, dentists, hospitals, drugs, and other expenditures, was about $3. 8 billion in 1980, $ 12 billion in 1990, and $69 billion in 2000. Since then, the rate of increase has been staggering, by 2010 the total cost exceeded $200 billion, and it continues to rise rapidly.
16. What’s the main topic of the passage?
17. What do we learn about the health care problem in the US?
18. How can people get their health care in the US?
19. Why is there little agreement over the reform of the health care system?