Financing gaps keep $2 million gene therapies out of reach for many patients

William Padula argues that the United States lacks the financial infrastructure to deliver ultra‑expensive gene therapies, even though they can cure diseases with a single dose. He notes that treatments priced at $2 million or more concentrate decades of health value into one intervention, making the cost appear justified.

Despite the potential to avoid long‑term hospitalizations and lost productivity, many eligible patients cannot access these cures because the health system cannot absorb the large upfront expense. Padula points out that current payment models are not designed for such high‑cost, one‑time treatments.

Policymakers are beginning to experiment with new financing approaches, but the rollout remains limited, leaving a structural market failure where cures exist but are not delivered. The article calls for innovative payment mechanisms to bridge the gap between therapeutic value and payer capacity.