July 18, 2008
U.S. health system on the wrong track
In an announcement that got surprisingly little news attention, the Commonwealth Fund released its National Scorecard on U.S. Health System Performance, 2008. Excerpts: 
"The U.S. health system is on the wrong track. Overall, performance has not improved since the first National Scorecard was issued in 2006. Of greatest concern, access to health care has significantly declined. As of 2007, more than 75 million adults—42 percent of all adults ages 19 to 64—were either uninsured during the year or underinsured, up from 35 percent in 2003. At the same time, the U.S. failed to keep pace with gains in health outcomes achieved by the leading countries. The U.S. now ranks last out of 19 countries on a measure of mortality amenable to medical care, falling from 15th as other countries raised the bar on performance. Up to 101,000 fewer people would die prematurely if the U.S. could achieve leading, benchmark country rates. ...
The U.S. spends twice per capita what other major industrialized countries spend on health care, and costs continue to rise faster than income. We are headed toward $1 of every $5 of national income going toward health care. We should expect a better return on this investment. ...
National leadership is urgently needed to yield greater value for the resources devoted to health care."
Posted by schwitz at July 18, 2008 07:25 AM | TrackBackWhy has the media not given more headline coverage of this latest disturbing news when health care is extremely important to most Americans? The media seem to have abandoned any interest in objectively identifying the cost/benefits to business, governments and individuals which are frustrated by our current (inadequate) system. Anecdotal stories can't replace real research. Talk about poor quality of product and delivery!
Posted by: Van A. Gosselin at July 18, 2008 10:26 AM