U.S. Health Care Lags in Quality, Access

[Celebration]

http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/health/feeds/hscout/2006/04/04/hscout531962.html

TUESDAY, April 4 (HealthDay News) -- Even though the United States spends more than twice as much per capita on health care as some other western nations, it trails them in such measures as efficiency, equity, and patient safety and access to care, according to two new reports.

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There's a persistent myth that U.S. health care is the best in the world, said Dr. Donald M. Berwick, president and CEO of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. But, he added, "The U.S. is far from the best health-care system in the world, even though it's by far the most expensive."

................snip

In the first report, researchers found the United States ranked last when it came to patients experiencing a lab test error, including wrong tests or delays in being notified about abnormal test results.

The U.S. also ranked last on patients leaving a doctor's office without getting important questions answered, and also on the ability to get care on nights and weekends. And the U.S. had the highest number of patients who have to go to the emergency room for a condition that could have been treated by a regular doctor. The U.S. also fared worst when it came to differences between below- and above-average income patients not filling prescriptions or skipping doses due to cost.

We ranked first in preventative care--things like mammograms, and counseling on diet and life style. We were compared to UK, Canada, Germany, Austria, and New Zealand

[Warpy]

1. Preventative care is there only if you have insurance

Since I've had no insurance since 1987 and since I have a chronic illness to take care of, I've had NO preventative care since 1987.

I tell people I'm enjoying the same health care system as residents of Botswana.

[Nite Owl]

2. At last someone is saying it

that we do not have the best health care in the world. That myth should be put to rest. What are we 'best' in these days? Not education, not transportation, not cutting edge research, not manufacturing...
Bombs, we have more than anyone else!

I want America back, she's been sytematically ruined.

[Trillo]

3. corruption.

lots of money chasing less and less.

[Denver Dave]

8. Quality - Access - Affordability

There are 3 parts to this triangle:

Quality - Access - Affordabiltiy

If one point of the triangle is non-existent or reduced the benefits of the other points are non-existent or at least reduced.

What good is high quality health care if you you do not have access?

What's your opinion - please join our national and by state discussion about access to healthcare:
www.HCTalk.com

[NMMNG]

4. It's only the best if you can afford it

Otherwise you are S.O.L.

[oscar111]

5. 72, health of the population:37, health system quality:25, longevity

Eng and Germany have HOUSECALLS. Possibly others, i dont know the full picture on this item.

WORLD HEALTH REPORT 2000, from WHO, the source of first two stats.

Housecdalls, info from my post here, two replies.

Longevity stat, many press reports

n zeal has/had a twenty four/ seven days.... phone to call for free doctor advice on the phone. Nice.

[oscar111]

6. ER trip can be an ordeal of six hour wait.. exposure to others germs

some at an ER waited two days, said my pen pal a few years back.

[oscar111]

7. NATIONALIZE ALL FOUR CORNERS OF HEALTH. can u name them?

drs
hospitals/nursing homes
insurance
Big Pill

kerry only planned to natl the insurance part.

we must nationalize ALL FOUR.

greed has ruined our population's health.