indeed, we have brand new data. the commonwealth fund just released a broad survey collecting health care attitudes and experiences from patients in australia, canada, germany, the netherlands, new zealand, the united kingdom, and the united states. here are summaries of some of the findings:
1. we spend the most. we spend more than any other country in the world. in 2005, our per capita -- so, per person -- spending was $6,697. the next highest in the study was canada, at $3,326. and remember -- that's "mean" spending, so it's the amount we spend divided by our population. but unlike in canada, about 16 percent of our population doesn't have insurance, and so often can't use the system. these facts should set the stage for all numbers that come after: every time you see a data point in which were dead last, or not leading the pack, remember that we spend twice as much as any of our competitors.
2. we don't pay doctors according to the quality of their care.
3. our wait times are low because many of us aren't getting care at all.
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in just the past year, a full 25 percent of us didn't visit the doctor when sick because we couldn't afford it. twenty-three percent skipped a test, treatment, or follow-up recommended by a doctor. another 23 percent didn't fill a prescription. no other country is even close to this sort of income-based rationing.
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4. most of us don't have a regular physician.
5. our care isn't particularly convenient.
6. our doctors don't listen to us.
7. we have high rates of chronic conditions.
8. ... but we're not treating them properly.
9. we're frequent victims of medical, medication, and lab errors.
10. most of us are dissatisfied with our current system.
