Americans spend double dose in health care
If you’re an average American adult, about $7,000 is spent annually on your health care, according to a new study. That’s about double what is spent on medical care for patients in other countries, according to the Commonwealth Fund, which surveyed individuals in the United States and six other countries.
The survey also found that U.S. patients are more likely to report experiencing medical errors and to go without care because of costs. U.S. patients, along with Canadians, also are the least likely to be able to get a same-day appointment with their physicians when sick, and the most likely to seek care in emergency rooms as an alternative. The study, published as a “Web Exclusive” in the journal Health Affairs, also finds that U.S. adults have the highest out-of-pocket costs and greatest problems paying medical bills.
Information was gathered from a recemt survey of 12,000 adults in Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and the United States .
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In terms of patient safety, U.S.adults report the highest rates of laboratory-test errors, and among the highest rates of medical or medication errors.
Results from the survey found U.S. adults were most likely to have gone without care because of costs and to have high out-of-pocket costs. About 40 percent of U.S. patients skipped medications, didn’t see a doctor when sick, or skipped recommended care in the past year because of costs.
-Jim Killackey, Medical Writer
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Comments
Guess what?! Take a look at where the bottom five states are on the poverty level! How many people don’t have the means or education to know how to buy or prepare healthy meals? The federal government should stop subsidizing “Big Tobacco” and pay attention to more important things.
Most of the time, in a two-parent household, both have to work. How many people are too tired to prepare healthy meals, let alone shop for them? Why not focus on the root of the problem?
Oh, I live in one of the poorest counties in Oklahoma. I’ve seen this all of my life.
T. Heffley
McCurtain County
Socialized medicine works in the civilized world. In Germany, for example, one’s premiums are tied to one’s salary. One recieves treatment relatively quickly and without concern about one’s employment. There are routes to higher level care, as well. That seems fair to me. And you cannot claim that we offer care to everyone, while the socialized systems may “ration” health care. We ration it, too. I believe most hospitals review whether or not they would undertake expensive, subsidized surgery or treatment. Of course, many Americans just don’t get access, coverage, medications, or health care support. I’d also like to understand why our “market forces” (11% administrative costs) cannot match the efficiency of medicare (2% administrative costs).