The United States has the most expensive healthcare system in
the industrialized world. Our healthcare system is projected to
eat up 17.7 percent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and cost
our nation $3.1 trillion next year. And absent reform, this
number could likely double in the next 20 years. Already, we
spend more on healthcare than defense, Social Security or any
other single spending area. But even though we spend so much on
healthcare, we really don’t get a whole lot for our money. A
2008 report found that the U.S. ranks last on preventing deaths
and use of timely and effective medical care. The report also
found that depending on where you live, the cost and quality of
care you receive will vary drastically. Additionally, a 2010
study found that the U.S. ranked last in overall quality of care
compared to six other industrialized nations. And a 2007 report
published in the January/February issue of the Journal for
Health Affairs showed that had the United States performed as
well as the top three in