U.S. ranks last in health care compared with nine other high-income countries

A recent report by The Commonwealth Fund reveals that the U.S. ranks last among ten high-income countries in health care performance, despite spending significantly more on health care—approximately 18% of its GDP. The report highlights critical issues such as high rates of avoidable deaths, low life expectancy, and inequitable access to care, particularly affecting lower-income individuals and racial minorities. The U.S. was found to have the highest out-of-pocket costs for essential health services, which does not correlate with superior care quality. The report assessed various factors, including access to care, care processes, administrative efficiency, equity, and health outcomes, with Australia, the Netherlands, and the U.K. leading in overall performance. The U.S. performed poorly in administrative efficiency due to its complex insurance system, which complicates care access and leads to service denials. The findings underscore the need for systemic changes, such as lowering care costs and expanding coverage, to improve health outcomes. Experts suggest that a universal health care system could enhance access and continuity of care, addressing the disparities highlighted in the report.

- The U.S. ranks last in health care performance among ten high-income countries.

- High costs lead to significant out-of-pocket expenses for patients, affecting access to care.

- The U.S. has the lowest life expectancy and highest rates of preventable deaths.

- Administrative inefficiencies stem from a complex insurance system.

- Experts advocate for systemic changes, including universal health care coverage.