U.S. care lags behind peers

Report ranks U.S. last in quality of health care, first in cost

This article was published on 06.26.14

A new report ranked the U.S. last in overall quality of health care and access among 11 industrialized countries, despite having the most expensive care.

In 2011, the per-capita health spending in Britain, which ranked first overall in the report compiled by the Commonwealth Fund, was $3,406, compared to $8,508 per person in the U.S., according to SFGate.com. Switzerland and Sweden rounded out the top three, while Canada and France were ranked just above the U.S.

The researchers noted that the U.S. fared poorly due to a lack of access to primary care and overall inefficiencies, though provision in the Affordable Care Act may boost its ranking in the future.

Financial barriers to care also factored into the report, as more than a third of U.S. adults reported skipping a recommended test or treatment due to cost concerns.

U.S. care lags behind peers

Report ranks U.S. last in quality of health care, first in cost

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