KFF on international health care spending
A new publication by Kaiser Family Foundationresearchers examines differences in health spending among higher-incomecountries that are part of the Organisation for Economic Co-operationand Development (OECD). Health spending per capita in the U.S. is amongthe highest in developed countries — 24% higher than in the nexthighest spending countries, and over 90% higher than in many othercountries that would be considered global economic competitors. Growthin health spending in the U.S. is also among the highest for developedcountries. However, the U.S. does not appear to provide greater healthresources to its citizens or achieve substantially better healthbenchmarks compared to other developed countries. The report is thelatest in the Foundation’s series, “ Snapshots: Health Care Costs,”which provide insight into the political and policy debates about thecost of health care in the nation.