US health system ranks last compared with peer nations, report finds – US news
A Commonwealth Fund report reveals the US health system ranks last among ten nations, highlighting issues in health equity and access, despite high spending. Major candidates lack substantial reform proposals.
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A recent Commonwealth Fund report has revealed that the United States health system ranks last among ten peer nations, despite Americans spending nearly double on healthcare compared to other countries. The report highlights significant shortcomings in health equity, access to care, and health outcomes. Dr. Joseph Betancourt, president of the Commonwealth Fund, emphasized the human toll of these deficiencies, noting that many patients struggle to afford medications and that older patients often arrive at hospitals in worse health due to lack of insurance. While healthcare costs are a primary concern for voters, neither major presidential candidate has proposed substantial reforms. The report, part of the "Mirror, Mirror" series, utilized 70 indicators across five sectors, showing the US consistently ranks at the bottom, except in care processes. Experts suggest that to improve the US health system, there needs to be an expansion of insurance coverage, simplification of insurance plans, enhancement of primary care, and investment in social wellbeing. However, implementing these changes is expected to be challenging, especially in the current political climate.
- The US health system ranks last among ten peer nations in a Commonwealth Fund report.
- Americans spend over $4.5 trillion annually on healthcare, yet face significant access and equity issues.
- Voter concerns about healthcare costs are not being addressed by major political candidates.
- Recommendations for improvement include expanding insurance coverage and simplifying insurance plans.
- The report indicates that social inequities significantly impact health outcomes in the US.
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17 commentsMy doctors have all been good (attested to by my parents who are surgeons themselves) but the healthcare system is wonky.
One thing I didn't expect is that the Indian system where you just drag your health records around paper copy yourself is superior to US EMR systems - which doctors seem to always have trouble with.
But now I have some friends in medicine and I always have them pull my records and keep a copy myself. It's usually a fax but it's better that way. Clearly electronic interop isn't working most of the time.
Naively I would assume as a non-American that if you're in the top 20% by income in the US you end up much better off than the top 20% income Brit, for example.
Or is it just actually worse for everyone? It feels intuitively obvious that the average will be worse because, well, the average person is skint and the US is less socialist.
Sounds like a lottery. If you win a place it's good otherwise not.
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