Report on International Healthcare Systems Notes High Costs in United States and Equity Challenges

The Commonwealth Fund has published a report that provides a comprehensive look into healthcare systems around the world. In the United States, spending remains exceedingly high, with healthcare policy trends at state and federal levels aimed at reducing high costs. The report also considers steps aimed at reducing healthcare disparities, noting that some populations continue to receive worse care than others.

“Spending on private health insurance accounted for one-third (34%) of total health expenditures in 2018. Private insurance is the primary health coverage for two-thirds of Americans (67%). The majority of private insurance (55%) is employer-sponsored, and a smaller share (11%) is purchased by individuals from for-profit and nonprofit carriers…. Annual per capita health expenditures in the United States are the highest in the world (USD $11,172, on average, in 2018), with health care costs growing between 4.2 percent and 5.8 percent annually over the past five years.” Read more here.

(Source: The Commonwealth Fund, 12/2020)