Achieving a high-performance health care system with universal access: what the United States can learn from other countries.
This position paper concerns improving health care in the United States. Unlike previous highly focused policy papers by the American College of Physicians, this article takes a comprehensive approach to improving access, quality, and efficiency of care. The first part describes health care in the United States. The second compares it with health care in other countries. The concluding section proposes lessons that the United States can learn from these countries and recommendations for achieving a high-performance health care system in the United States. The articles are based on a position paper developed by the American College of Physicians' Health and Public Policy Committee. This policy paper (not included in this article) also provides a detailed analysis of health care systems in 12 other industrialized countries. Although we can learn much from other health systems, the College recognizes that our political and social culture, demographics, and form of government will shape any solution for the United States. This caution notwithstanding, we have identified several approaches that have worked well for countries like ours and could probably be adapted to the unique circumstances in the United States.
Ginsburg
Jack A
JA
Doherty
Robert B
RB
Ralston
J Fred
JF
Senkeeto
Naomi
N
Cooke
Molly
M
Cutler
Charles
C
Fleming
David A
DA
Freeman
Brian P
BP
Gluckman
Robert A
RA
Liebow
Mark
M
McLean
Robert M
RM
Musana
Kenneth A
KA
Nichols
Patrick M
PM
Purtle
Mark W
MW
Reynolds
P Preston
PP
Weaver
Kathleen M
KM
Dale
David C
DC
Levine
Joel S
JS
Stubbs
Joseph W
JW
D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D017048:Health Care Costs; D018166:Health Care Reform; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D008483:Medical Assistance / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D010820:Physicians / Q000600:supply & distribution; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D014481:United States