Commonwealth Fund report paints grim picture of U.S. health care system

A Commonwealth Fund study concludes that although medical care in the United States is the most expensive in the world, the nation is now ranked last among industrialized countries in its ability to prevent death through timely and effective medical care (Source: “While the U.S. Spends Heavily on Health Care, a Study Faults the Quality,” New York Times, July 17, 2008) .

The findings were part of the organization’s second national scorecard of the health care system. Among the other findings were that access to care in the U.S. has declined since the group’s last report in 2006. It now estimates that about 75 million Americans, or 42 percent of all adults aged 18 to 54, were either uninsured or underinsured.  The 2006 report found that 35 percent of adults either did not have adequate coverage or no insurance altogether.

“We are headed toward $1 of every $5 of national income going toward health care. We should expect a better return on this investment,” the report concludes.