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Health Care Systems- Global, National, State, and Local

What's Here? The United States does not have a health care "system." We have multiple markets operating (sometimes competing) with each other; free markets are the American way. For most, the system works ok. For others, it doesn't work at all. And, the approach we use is costly and highly inefficient and could potentially impact our economy in the years ahead. We've included some information that compares our approach of delivery with other countries. As a hint- all health care outside the U.S. is not "socialized medicine." There are some things we can learn. We've also included some information comparing the health and wellness between the states. We all know that even within our borders, the access to and outcomes of our current health care approach can vary significantly by where you live.

The US Health System in Perspective: A Comparison of Twelve Industrialized Nations; Commonwealth Fund; July, 2011 (The United States health care system has fewer hospital beds, fewer physicians, fewer hospital and physician visits- but still towers over all other countries in our cost; and we don't do that well with chronic care management. We have some challenges and may be able to learn from others) Posted 8-3-11

State of the States: Laying The Foundation for Health Reform; Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; February, 2011 (State governments are also struggling with the right way to set up their health care systems in their local markets. The PPACA has provided another framework to throw in the mix. This annual study looks at the status of each state and where they are individually to establish effective and affordable health care systems) Posted 2-11-11

Holding Steady, Looking Ahead: Annual Findings of a 50-State Survey of eligibility Rules, Enrollment and Renewal Procedures, and Cost Sharing Practices in Medicaid and CHIP 2010-2011; Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured; January, 2011 (Medicaid is going to be a huge strain on most state budgets. This study provides you with everything you may want to know about Medicaid across th country- and where it may be heading) Posted 1-16-11

Tracking the Contribution of the US Health System to the Global Competitveness of American Employers; Business Roundtable, Mercer; October, 2010; (Another look at the cost/benefit of the US health care system compared to Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and the UK. We made some improvements- but still cost the most and at a competitive disadvantage globally) Posted 12-8-10

How Health Insurance Design Affects Access to Care and Costs, By Income, in Eleven Countries; Commonwealth Fund; November, 2010 (Just another validation of how poorly the health care system in the United States stacks up when compared to others in the world. We have the best health care- we have the most expensive health care system) Posted 11-29-10

2010 Comparative Price Report; Medical and Hospital Fees By Country; International Federation of Health Plans; October, 2010 (Ever wonder how medical prices in the US stack up to other countries? This is an eye-opener and explains a little why our costs are so out of whack.) Posted 11-29-10

Health Care Trends In America; 2009; Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (Some good statistics and overview of the access, cost, quality, wellness, and new delivery models developing in our current system); Posted 7-15-10

International Profiles of Health Care Systems; Commonwealth Fund; June, 2010 (Great descriptions of the other health care systems across the globe); Posted 6-23-10

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall; How Performance of the U.S. Health System Compares Internationally; Commonwealth Fund; 2010; (Another humbling comparison of the performance of the U.S. system compared to other countries) Posted 6-23-10

America's Health Rankings; A Call To Action for Individuals and Their Communities 2009; UnitedHealth Foundation, American Public Health Assoc., Partnership for Prevention; (The annual summary of the health of our country); Posted 5-4-10.

A Graphic of Health Care Systems Around The World; National Geographic; (A Visual Depiction of Where The US Stacks Up With Health Care Costs and Life Expectancy; You Can Guess Where We Are); Posted 12-30-09

*Introduction to Benefit Plans Around the World; Mercer; (A sample version/comparison of the benefit plan characteristics of 8 countries around the world) Posted 12-10-09;