Value-Based Care Faces Technology, Cost Challenges Across US Healthcare

Recent studies and reports highlight significant developments and challenges in the U.S. healthcare landscape, particularly around sustainability and value-based care (VBC). Research from Utrecht University reveals that over half of patients prefer environmentally friendly medicines despite potential higher costs or inconvenience, underscoring a need for better patient education on the environmental impacts of pharmaceuticals. Meanwhile, the 2025 State of Technology in Value-Based Care Report finds strong alignment between payers and providers on VBC goals, but technology gaps—such as fragmented data strategies and inconsistent AI adoption—are hindering effective execution and scaling of VBC initiatives. Industry voices emphasize that the complexity and administrative burdens of VBC often mask its promise, with companies like Arbital Health offering infrastructure solutions to streamline risk-based contracting and improve operational efficiency. Additionally, the rise of digital payment systems in primary care introduces both benefits in processing speed and increased risks to patient data security, highlighting the urgent need for HIPAA-compliant payment networks to protect sensitive health information amid growing cyber threats. Finally, health system leaders stress the financial pressures facing hospitals and the imperative shift from fee-for-service to value-based models focused on disease prevention and sustainable cost management to stabilize care delivery and support growing patient populations.