A comparative analysis of US Health Care

[barnesfoto]

The U.S. health system is the most expensive in the world, but comparative analyses consistently show the United States underperforms relative to other countries on most dimensions of performance. This report, which includes information from primary care physicians about their medical practices and views of their countries' health systems, confirms the patient survey findings discussed in previous editions of Mirror, Mirror. It also includes information on health care outcomes that were featured in the U.S. health system scorecard issued by the Commonwealth Fund Commission on a High Performance Health System.


Among the six nations studied—Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States—the U.S. ranks last, as it did in the 2006 and 2004 editions of Mirror, Mirror. Most troubling, the U.S. fails to achieve better health outcomes than the other countries, and as shown in the earlier editions, the U.S. is last on dimensions of access, patient safety, efficiency, and equity. The 2007 edition includes data from the six countries and incorporates patients' and physicians' survey results on care experiences and ratings on various dimensions of care.


The most notable way the U.S. differs from other countries is the absence of universal health insurance coverage. Other nations ensure the accessibility of care through universal health insurance systems and through better ties between patients and the physician practices that serve as their long-term "medical home." It is not surprising, therefore, that the U.S. substantially underperforms other countries on measures of access to care and equity in health care between populations with above-average and below average incomes.

more: http://www.commonwealthfund.org/Cont...can-Healt.aspx

[ccbatson]

Irrelevant propaganda based on the premise that outcomes and health are the same as the quality/availability of healthcare. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Real life case in point; 70 year old with polycystic kidney disease, is currently on his second transplant, had a 5 year stint with hemodialysis, is on very expensive immunosuppresant meds, has had multipe end organ damage accrue over the 40 years since reaching end stage renal failure including vascular and cardiac disease requiring CABG twice, and an AAA repair. Has osteoporosis and has had a hip fracture with hemiarthroplasty.

He currently is unable to work, gets around mostly in a wheelchair, but has a relatively satisfying quality of life.

His health? horrible. His outcome? Fairly poor. The quality and availability of health care for him? Orders of magnitude better than anywhere else on this planet. There is no doubt that he would have died after prolonged suffering decades ago if he were the victim of a universal health care system.

BTW, this is not Obama's crony getting special favors...just a regular guy.

[Omaha]

As a Colbert Conservative and Social Darwinist, I agree that the US has the best health care in the world…for those who can afford it. Alas for the great unwashed, fewer and fewer will be able to afford it Employers will be less and less able to offer it and employees will be less and less able to pay for it or use it if they have it.


BTW, health insurance that is going up at three times the rate of wages is being accompanied by co-pays and deductibles that are rising at the rate of inflation. You working stiffs, will never get ahead.

With all the bankruptcies tied to health crises, there are lots and lots of good stuff out there to buy at fire sale prices for those with money. The same is true, of course, of stocks when they bottomed out at the end of the Bush term of office. Fire sale prices indeed!

The comparative national health rankings [[that put the USA 37th or something like) don't measure the fine care that those who live in suburbs [[especially those who can also afford their Aspen and Palm Beach residences) can afford for themselves and their loved ones.

And because the rich are getting richer, as another thread notes, we'll be able to afford it for a long long time, even after inflation eats up what ever savings the rest of you have.

It seems clear that the best way to continue to have health care is to choose your parents well.

[Lorax]

I have an even better idea- cancel your overpriced fascist run private health care, and use the emergency room as your primary care.

Eventually the corrupt system will get the message and change.

Be sure to find out how to manipulate the system, show up without ID, give false addresses or PO boxes, whatever it takes to get the care delivered, or pretend to not speak English. It works well here in Miami for the undocumented workers who have no problem getting care.

Hide what little money you have left and declare indigency. You'd be better off paying a lawyer to guide you through the process- it's basically them against us, folks.

[Lorax]

The fascist right is now quoting the "Lewin Group" as some sort of "expert" think-tank on health care issues.

Guess what, folks, the "Lewin Group" is owned by United Health Scare, which is in turn owned by Rethuglican Bill Frist and his brothers.

1.1 billion golden parachute to the former CEO, 4 million per week to the current CEO.

The money being spent to destroy health care reform by the fascist right is breathtaking.

Always read the fine print whenever the Reich quotes "sources" which you can be guaranteed 100% they are co-opted rubber-stamp organizations designed to work against the public's best interest.

[ccbatson]

The best for those who can afford it....the way it should be.

[Lorax]

The best for those who can afford it....the way it should be.

Since your enormous wealth separates you from the rest of us cattle, why not do the big thing and pay for a few of us, say, a year of health coverage?

With your level of income, it shouldn't be a stretch to afford it.

It wouldn't even have to be good health care, which I'm sure you enjoy, just some crappy HMO, say, United Health Scare? They only make us contribute 35%. Even Vegas casinos are forbidden by law from profiting more than 25%, and usually only take 20% profit on gambling.

Guess so-called health care companies have a better lobby than the casinos do.

[ccbatson]

Should everyone have "the best" cars, houses, yachts, food, clothes, etc....just because it is "unfair" that successful productive individuals have earned more for their tremendous efforts?

[Lorax]

Should everyone have "the best" cars, houses, yachts, food, clothes, etc....just because it is "unfair" that successful productive individuals have earned more for their tremendous efforts?

Sorry, but you can't equate health in those terms. The rich suffer from the illnesses of the poor just as much. They aren't immune.

Health standards are excellent in Europe, better in fact than here in the US. All French enjoy the same standard, rich or poor. And they score higher in all aspects of health care than we do. And they live longer.

[ccbatson]

Hunger discriminates? exposure to the elements? Same principles apply.

[Lorax]

Hunger discriminates? exposure to the elements? Same principles apply.

And of course, Ebeneezer, you feel you are taxed enough for the "services" provided the poor?

I hope you end up with hungry homeless living on your front lawn, and a police department that refuses to remove them.

What I wish for you, personally, I can't type here. Your statements chill my blood.

[ccbatson]

You have been brainwashed to believe that altruism is virtuous...it is not, it is destructive to believe that someone else is entitled to an individual's life.

[Lorax]

I never said someone is "entitiled" as you put it, to someone else's life.

You're the one who's so obviously entitled in the way you approach life, and it's no doubt your avaricious outlook on life, and your immense wealth that separates you from the unwashed.

The last cold you got probably came from a snotty doorknob last touched by a homeless man. Enjoy!

[mjs]

Health standards are excellent in Europe, better in fact than here in the US. All French enjoy the same standard, rich or poor. And they score higher in all aspects of health care than we do. And they live longer.

They also exercise more and eat healthier. Ask your Doctor what you can do to live a healthier, longer, more vibrant life and get more insurance coverage isn't going to be at the top of his list.

We drive from fast food drive through to fast food drive through and wonder why we feel like crap, have to have triple bypasses, and die from liver failure. Watch "Supersize Me" and tell me how you think that won't raise health care costs. If Americans really cared about their health, I wouldn't have to pass three packed McDonald's to get to a half empty gym.

[mjs]

I never said someone is "entitiled" as you put it, to someone else's life.

Its between the lines. You want all Americans to have the longest life spans with the lowest rates of health problems without having to exercise, sleep right, eat healthy, control their spending, or pay any more in taxes. And you want all of this for the same cost as the lowest nations while having more innovation and shorter wait times. Entitlement is when you say, I shouldn't have to sacrifice one iota for what I want. You should do all the sacrifice for what I want. You already have it so much better than I do.

[ccbatson]

Sigh...Health is not the same as quality of health care. Often there is an inverse relationship as per the example I posted earlier of a 70 year old renal transplant patient...pretty poor health, unparalleled quality of health care.

[Lorax]

Its between the lines. You want all Americans to have the longest life spans with the lowest rates of health problems without having to exercise, sleep right, eat healthy, control their spending, or pay any more in taxes. And you want all of this for the same cost as the lowest nations while having more innovation and shorter wait times. Entitlement is when you say, I shouldn't have to sacrifice one iota for what I want. You should do all the sacrifice for what I want. You already have it so much better than I do.

Since when did I say any of this crap?

I'm all for exercise, I don't eat fast food or soda, NEVER. I practice what I preach. But the corporatists who control farming and McDonalds, etc, would be so hurt by all this, I'm sure the Rethuglicans would say "hands off my Big Mac!" in response to any concerted effort to put fast food out of business.

Your premise, and attack on my position is false, and basically what I expected from those who live in an either/or, black/white state of existence.

Don't put words in my mouth, or a Big Mac, for that matter.

[ccbatson]

Lorax...THE most important issue is that of individual rights. If someone wants to eat McDonalds, the risks can be pointed out in the form of education and suggestion, but the final decision is, and must be left to the individual. Likewise, the final responsibility is owned by the individual.

[Lorax]

Lorax...THE most important issue is that of individual rights. If someone wants to eat McDonalds, the risks can be pointed out in the form of education and suggestion, but the final decision is, and must be left to the individual. Likewise, the final responsibility is owned by the individual.

Did I say I disagreed? What's up with you lately? I don't disagree about individualism, I could care less if people eat themselves into oblivion.

My liberal positions are just that, liberal. What's not clear about that?

[ccbatson]

Liberal=socialist=collectivist=statist=state/government control at the expense of individual rights.

When you say you believe in liberal ideology, the above logical conclusion necessarily results.

[Lorax]

Liberal=socialist=collectivist=statist=state/government control at the expense of individual rights.

When you say you believe in liberal ideology, the above logical conclusion necessarily results.

Redefining liberal, now?

LOL!!!

You really think the world, as well as the dictionary revolves around your interpretation of the world. You aren't the Supreme Court, Batts, far from it. You may fly in and out of the eaves at dusk, eating bugs, but that's where your association with the SC ends.

[ccbatson]

It is what it is...A is A.

[Lorax]

And in the world of Rethuglicanism:

Healthy forests = logging
No child left behind = no child's behind left alone
Clean air = dirty air
enhanced interrogation = torture

Yeah, you guys have the reality of language down pat.

[Stosh]

The best for those who can afford it....the way it should be.

Ever hear of Karma? The mighty have a peculiar way of falling. You are just tempting the fates in my opinion.

[Lorax]

Ever hear of Karma? The mighty have a peculiar way of falling. You are just tempting the fates in my opinion.

Don't bats fly blind?