Fineberg HV. N Engl J Med 2012;366:1020-1027
A recent New England of Medicine article demonstrates that U.S. healthcare costs have risen much faster than those of other countries. The average American now spends over $8000 per year on healthcare, whereas people in most other industrialized countries spend less than $4000 per year. Studies show that it is often easier to get the primary and preventive care people need most in other countries. In much of Europe people can get a house call by their doctor any night of the week if they or their child is sick. These countries know that good primary care and home visits by doctors are much cheaper and better for patients than emergency room care. Yet the only place Americans can get “free” care any time of the day or night is the emergency room. Are we really getting our money’s worth?
