Of seven developed countries evaluated in the Commonwealth Fund's 2010 analysis of healthcare quality, the U.S. came in last — just as it did in the group's last three analyses in 2007, 2006, and 2004.
Among other conclusions from the current report, based on interviews with patients and primary care physicians in Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the U.K., and the U.S.:
The U.S. ranked last or next to last in quality care; access; efficiency; equity; and "long, healthy, productive lives." (The Netherlands ranked first.)
The U.S. spends "considerably" more on healthcare per person than do the other countries.
The "most notable" difference between the U.S. and the other nations is the lack of universal health coverage in the U.S.
The report notes that the healthcare legislation passed in the U.S. this year "should begin to improve" the cost and quality of care here.
