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Report: U.S. healthcare expensive, inefficient

Healthcare Strategist Trend Watch, May 18, 2007

Americans pay for more but receive less when it comes to healthcare than their counterparts in Germany, Britain, Australia, and Canada, says a report from the Commonwealth Fund. The report ranks United States healthcare last, based on comparisons of quality, access, efficiency, equity, and outcome.

Commonwealth ranked Germany highest, followed by Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Per capita healthcare spending in the United States in 2004 was $6,102, while Germany spent $3,005; Britain spent $2,546; Australia spent $2,876; New Zealand spent $2,083, and Canada spent $3,165.

One of the areas where the U.S. healthcare system outpaces those in other countries is preventative medicine, the report says. Another is the short wait time for elective, non-emergency surgery, such as cataract procedures or hip replacements. However, 61% of U.S. patients say it is somewhat or very difficult to get emergency room care on weekends or nights, while 25% to 59% of those in the other countries say the same.

To learn more about the study, click here

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