Mirror, Mirror, Who has the Best Health Care System of All?
by Fred Fortin
For those who have not seen news of this recent report, it is an important study to digest and think about. Briefly, its panel of distinguished authors find that while the U.S. health system is the most expensive in the world, their data and analysis show it to be consistently under performing relative to several other countries (Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, the United Kingdom). The dimensions studied included quality, access, efficiency, equity and general health with the overall ranking of the six nations placing the U.S. dead last. The study is sobering and instructive.
The public yawns that have typically accompanied these kinds of studies in the past are gone. With the U.S. entering into a collective learning moment about health care due to the presidential campaign, reactions to the study have been an almost universal steady drum beat of criticism of U.S. health care (some samples here, here, here and here) with few exceptions. Yet, most health care policy wonks will not be surprised either by the ranking (not the first time) or by the primary issues (lack of universal health care being a big one).
Given the media attention the study has garnered, I hope we pay similar attention to the authors’ urgings to engage the international community.
“While many U.S. hospitals and health systems are dedicated to improving the process of care to achieve better safety and quality, the U.S. can also learn from innovations in other countries—including public reporting of quality data, payment systems that reward high-quality care, and a team approach to management of chronic conditions. Based on these patient and physician reports, the U.S. could improve the delivery, coordination, and equity of the health care system by drawing from best practices both within the U.S. and around the world.”
There’s a pride in America, and in American health care as well, that make these tough words to hear. But we need to take a listen.
