
- The U.S. spends approximately USD 643 billion "extra" per year when compared to "peer OECD members" while not necessarily ending up with ending up with a healthier population overall.
- Of this "extra" approximately two thirds, or USD 436 billion is in the outpatient care arena
- Fifteen percent, or USD 98 billion, of the "extra" was spent on pharmaceuticals. Factors that played into this result included that: a) drug prices were higher, b) the U.S. uses a more expensive mix f drugs than the OECD comparisons, and, c) newer drugs (which generally are more expensive) come to market faster in the U.S. than in Europe...
- Approximately fourteen percent of the "extra" represents health administration and insurance. Factors that played into this result included a) taxes and profits, b) the fragmentation of the market among multiple members, and, c) regulation by multiple states and the federal government.


The bottom line: Overall, it is not clear that the legislation thus far (i.e. HR3200) does enough to "fix" the problems in our current health care system, but is merely a first step in that direction.
Previous entries on hospitals & health care:
Health care re-form II (P4P) - Aug 4th, 2009
Health care re-form I (Issues) - Aug 4th, 2009
So? - Jul 27th, 2009
Random chart... - Jul 12th, 2009
Random charts... - May 22nd, 2009
Random chart... - May 9th, 2009
Wyeth v. Levine - Mar 22nd, 2009
Financial crisis & hospitals - III - Mar 22nd, 2009
Random chart... - Feb 1st, 2009
Financial crisis & hospitals - II - Jan 27th, 2009
Random chart... - Jan 26th, 2009
Hospitals' financial update - Dec 25th, 2008
Good for the goose - Dec 11th, 2008
Studies of intererst - IV - Nov 16th, 2008
Studies of interest - II - Nov 16th, 2008
Financial crisis & hospitals - I - Nov 14th, 2008
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