The discussion centers around the per capita health care spending of the United States and its comparison to other industrialized countries. Participants seek statistics and insights into the implications of these spending figures, including value for money and potential areas for improvement in health care services.
Participants generally agree on the high level of US health care spending compared to other countries, but there is no consensus on the implications of this spending or the effectiveness of the health care system.
The discussion includes references to specific statistics and reports, but does not resolve the broader implications of these figures or the criteria for grant eligibility mentioned by one participant.
This discussion may be of interest to individuals researching health care economics, policy makers, and those involved in health care reform initiatives.
"We do not get good value for our health care dollars," Karen Davis, president of the Commonwealth Fund, told reporters in a telephone briefing. "The United States falls short when compared to other countries."
The Fund, which commissions research on health care and advocates for universal coverage, issued a scorecard in October 2006 that gave the United States a rating of 66 out of a possible 100 on 37 health indicators such as premature death and infant mortality.
Earlier this week the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development noted that Americans spend far more than any other country on health care at $6,401 per person per year in 2005, compared to the OECD average of $2,759.