Report: US Gets Less Health for More $$$

Other nations in better health despite spending less

By the Associated Press

Posted Mar 12, 2009 11:34 AM CDT

(AP) – If the global economy were a 100-yard dash, the US would start 23 yards behind its competitors because its health care costs too much—about $2.4 trillion a year—and delivers too little, says a report out today. The authors and leading CEOs say the US funnels away resources that could be invested elsewhere in the economy, but fails to deliver a healthier work force.

Other countries spend less on health care and their workers are relatively healthier, the report found by comparing statistics on life expectancy, death rates, cholesterol readings, and blood pressures. The health measures were factored together with costs into a 100-point "value" scale. The United States is 23 points behind five leading economic competitors: Canada, Japan, Germany, the UK and France.

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(D. Morris)

The report comes as President Obama has called for an overhaul of the nation's health care system and said that the current costs are unsustainable. (AP Photo)

Americans in 2006 spent $1,928 per capita on health care, at least 2.5 times more per person than any other advanced country. (AP Photo)

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What's important is that we measure and compare actual value—not just how much we spend on health care, but the performance we get back in return. The results are quite eye-opening. - H. Edward Hanway, Cigna CEO

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Report: US Gets Less Health for More $$$

Other nations in better health despite spending less

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Report: US Gets Less Health for More $$$

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

health care costs • insurance companies • United States • universal health care • health care reform • President Obama

MOST POPULAR STORIES

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More Newser Stories

Health Reform Bill Won't Stop Premium Hikes

Action on curbs didn't make final cut, leaving 'very big loophole'

House Scrutinizes Health Insurer's 39% Rate Hike

Anthem Blue Cross jacks some premiums in California

In Retreat, Obama Weighs Scaled-Back Health Options

Modest coverage, cost reforms now on horizon

The Senate's Health Care Plan: Try Everything

Pilot programs might be the best way to solve the cost problem

Current Care Kills More Than 'Army of Death Panels'

System 'takes lives and breaks apart families'

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Newser By Users

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