If the global economy were a 100-yard dash, the U.S. would start 23 yards behind its closest competitors because of health care that costs too much and delivers too little, a business group says in a report to be released Thursday. The report from the Business Roundtable, which represents CEOs of major companies, says America's health care system has become a liability in a global economy.
--"Report: Health care 'value Gap' hurts U.S.--Americans spend a lot more than top countries, but aren’t as healthy," msnbc.com (3/12/09)
One of the strongest, most credible voices in the business community is finally on board. Who knows why it took them so long to recognize that broad-based reform and access to the American healthcare system is not only in the best interest of the poor, infirm and unable, but increasingly young adults and the vast middle class who are without adequate health care; not only in the best interest of reducing the burden on taxpayers, but increasing the productivity of our economy; not only a social good, but as much a hallmark of civilization and societal accountability in the 21st century as public education; not only an answer to a distended, perpetually increasing cost for American business, but one absolutely critical to it's health and global competitiveness, perhaps even it's survival.
I could ask again, "How many times must we be told?" But could this powerful new voice weighing in represent our national tipping point? Can conservative politicians representing the interests of the medical industry continue their blinkered view and obstructionist pose in the light of this important constituency having moved in the constructive direction of reform?
Sometimes it is useful to consult the increasingly compelling studies and findings--the facts, if you will. From the msnbc.com article:
Americans spend $2.4 trillion a year on health care. The Business Roundtable report says Americans in 2006 spent $1,928 per capita on health care, at least two-and-a-half times more per person than any other advanced country. In a different twist, the report took those costs and factored benefits into the equation. It compares statistics on life expectancy, death rates and even cholesterol readings and blood pressures. The health measures are factored together with costs into a 100-point "value" scale. That hasn't been done before, the authors said.
The results are not encouraging. The United States is 23 points behind five leading economic competitors: Canada, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom and France. The five nations cover all their citizens, and though their systems differ, in each country the government plays a much larger role than in the U.S. The cost-benefit disparity is even wider — 46 points — when the U.S. is compared with emerging competitors: China, Brazil and India.... Other countries spend less on health care and their workers are relatively healthier, the report said.
"What's important is that we measure and compare actual value — not just how much we spend on health care, but the performance we get back in return," said H. Edward Hanway, CEO of the insurance company Cigna. "That's what this study
does, and the results are quite eye-opening."
The article reminds us that President Barack Obama has repeatedly said that the costs have now become unsustainable and the system must be overhauled. Are we ready as a country to do what it takes to carry out meaningful reform that provides basic heathcare to all Americans at a much lower overall cost to business and society? All we have to do is be open-minded enough, smart enough, disciplined enough, and committed enough to perform up to the standards of those very countries we have for so long looked down our noses at and considered so much less disciplined and productive than ours.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29641091/
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