The U.S. Healthcare System is not the best in the World!- But It Could Be -2/4-

Healthcare Access and Quality in Other Developed Countries

While the U.S. healthcare system is a leader in medical technology and specialized care, it lags behind many developed countries in terms of overall access, quality, and efficiency. One of the key reasons for this is the lack of any form of a “universal” system. Most other developed nations have a more equitable system than the US.

In terms of access, the U.S. system faces significant challenges due to its reliance on employer-sponsored insurance and the size of its uninsured and underinsured population. Countries with universal health coverage, ensure that “everyone” has access to necessary care, leading to better overall health outcomes.

In terms of quality, while the U.S. excels in certain high-tech medical treatments and innovations, it performs poorly on broad measures such as life expectancy, infant mortality, and preventable diseases.

In terms of efficiency, most other countries achieve better outcomes despite spending less than the $13,900 that the US spends per capita on healthcare.

Source: Commonwealth Fund

Healthcare Systems in Other Developed Countries

Canada

Canada’s healthcare system is a publicly funded single-payer system, which ensures that all citizens have access to medically necessary services without direct charges at the point of care. Access is universal, but wait times for non-emergency procedures can be longer than in the U.S., which may contribute to higher patient dissatisfaction in certain cases (OECD, 2020). Despite this, Canada's life expectancy is higher than that of the U.S., and its healthcare expenditures are significantly lower. In 2019, Canada spent 10.7% of its GDP on healthcare ($6,300 per capita) , considerably less than the U.S. (OECD, 2021).

The United Kingdom

The U.K. operates the National Health Service (NHS), a publicly funded system that provides free healthcare services at the point of use. The U.K. ranks highly in terms of equity, with a strong focus on access for all citizens. Its spending on healthcare is lower than that of the U.S., at 12.4% of GDP in 2021 ($5,190 per capita), but its outcomes are notably better. Life expectancy in the U.K. is higher than in the U.S., and the country performs well in areas such as preventive care, chronic disease management, and maternal health (OECD, 2021). However, like Canada, the NHS faces challenges such as waiting times for non-emergency treatments.

Germany

Germany uses a social health insurance system, which is primarily funded by employer and employee contributions. Coverage is nearly universal, and the country boasts a strong emphasis on both access and quality. The German system is recognized for its efficiency, providing high-quality care while keeping spending lower than the U.S. ($8,000 per capita) Despite some challenges with aging populations and waiting times for specialists, Germany’s life expectancy and health outcomes generally exceed those of the U.S. (OECD, 2021).

France

France operates a system of universal health coverage funded by a mix of public health insurance and government funds. The system is often praised for its quality and accessibility, with healthcare services being available to all residents at a reasonable cost. Life expectancy in France is higher than that in the U.S., and the country consistently ranks near the top in international comparisons of health outcomes. France spends around 11% of its GDP on healthcare ($6,500 per capita), a figure significantly lower than that of the U.S., yet it achieves better health outcomes, such as lower infant mortality and a longer life expectancy (OECD, 2021).

Japan

Japan has a universal health insurance system in which all residents must have insurance, either through employer-based plans or community-based plans. Japan is known for its long-life expectancy, one of the highest in the world, and its high-quality, low-cost healthcare system. The country spends about 10% of its GDP on healthcare, far less than the U.S., yet it outperforms the U.S. in terms of life expectancy, maternal health, and infant mortality. Japanese healthcare is efficient, with well-organized primary care and preventive services being central to its success (OECD, 2021).

Switzerland

Switzerland’s healthcare system is a combination of private and public insurance, where residents must purchase insurance from private insurers, but the government regulates premiums and provides subsidies to low-income individuals. The Swiss system has a reputation for both high quality and efficiency. Healthcare access is universal, and life expectancy in Switzerland is higher than in the U.S., with lower rates of preventable diseases. The Swiss spend around 12% ($8,000 per capita) of their GDP on healthcare, which is less than the U.S. but yields better health outcomes (OECD, 2021). Despite the private insurance model, Switzerland's efficient management and emphasis on patient-centered care make it one of the best-performing systems globally.

Conclusions from Between Country Comparisons

The U.S. healthcare system stands out for its medical technologies and specialized treatments, but it is outperformed by many other developed nations in terms of healthcare access, efficiency, and overall quality. Countries such as Canada, the U.K., Germany, France, Japan, and Switzerland provide valuable lessons in achieving better health outcomes through universal coverage, efficient management, and a focus on equity.

Despite spending the highest percentage of GDP on healthcare globally and the highest amount, the U.S. lags behind other nations in key health indicators such as life expectancy, infant mortality, and the prevalence of preventable diseases.