Health Care Spending: U.S. vs. Abroad

[kelvin070]

US spends the most on health care per capita and also the highest % of GDP for health care but life expectancy rates are among the lowest in the countries listed. Money can buy and build the best state of the art hospitals and medical equipments but money cannot buy the best human factor in running and maintaining the systems. So whats the problem now? Is it dirty politics?

http://kiplinger.com/infographics/health_care_spending/map.html

 

[Accountable]

It ignores the most important category. How much is paid by taxes vs paid by the people actually receiving the care?

 

[Peter Parka]

It ignores the most important category. How much is paid by taxes vs paid by the people actually receiving the care?

Yes, people paying for their own health care is much more important than people getting cured.:sarcasm

 

[Guyzerr]

Yes, people paying for their own health care is much more important than people getting cured.:sarcasm

Or people don't see the doctor enough to deal with preventable medicine / issues so when they do see one it's a zinger. In other words... wait and save their money until they are forced to part with it. Kinda sounds like an ING commercial.

 

[Meirionnydd]

It ignores the most important category. How much is paid by taxes vs paid by the people actually receiving the care?

Since my country is represented on the list, I think I can answer that for you.

Here, our universal health care scheme is funded in part by a income tax surcharge known as the 'Medicare levy'. Depending on your circumstances, the levy is about 1.5% of an individuals taxable income.

So basically everyone contributes evenly, regardless of how much you use the system.