HEALTH CARE
Key findings
Do policies produce high-quality, inclusive
and cost-efficient health care?
and cost-efficient health care?
Health care scores are weighted composites. A qualitative policy assessment [ 
] contributes one-half of this weighting, with the five quantitative measures [ 
] each contributing an additional one-tenth.
Scores and methodology
] contributes one-half of this weighting, with the five quantitative measures [ ] each contributing an additional one-tenth. Scores and methodology
Health careKey findings: Health care policy
Each 
represents an individual country and is positioned on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 10 (best). Position cursor over to see scores for individual countries.
Click country name in list or text for details.
represents an individual country and is positioned on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 10 (best). Position cursor over to see scores for individual countries.Click country name in list or text for details.
Score distribution
8.8
1
8.8
8.7
3
8.6
4
8.5
5
8.5
8.4
7
8.4
8.2
9
8.2
8.1
11
Countries in this group typically offer high-quality care that is universally available, or nearly so.
Rising costs and service efficiency have proven stressful for many of these systems (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg). Service quality in several (Denmark, Iceland, Canada) has been impaired by long waiting times.
Several countries (Sweden, Austria) have seen a move toward supplementary private insurance or care, while the Netherlands' system is based on private insurance, with state-guaranteed quality.
Canada and Iceland have resisted the implementation of private health care services.
Rising costs and service efficiency have proven stressful for many of these systems (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg). Service quality in several (Denmark, Iceland, Canada) has been impaired by long waiting times.
Several countries (Sweden, Austria) have seen a move toward supplementary private insurance or care, while the Netherlands' system is based on private insurance, with state-guaranteed quality.
Canada and Iceland have resisted the implementation of private health care services.
7.8
12
7.6
13
7.6
7.4
15
6.9
16
6.9
6.8
18
6.7
19
6.6
20
6.6
6.4
22
This group of countries offers generally high-quality care, but often with sustainability questions, and a drain of wealthier patients into private services.
Rising public-care costs are proving increasingly difficult to manage in many of these states (Norway, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, Czech Republic).
In many (New Zealand, South Korea, Germany, Ireland, Italy), two-tier systems see well-off residents subscribe to private insurance, seeking shorter wait times or better care. New Zealand has recently expanded eligibility for financial support.
Long wait times are common in Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, while quality of service can vary substantially across different regions in Spain.
Rising public-care costs are proving increasingly difficult to manage in many of these states (Norway, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, Czech Republic).
In many (New Zealand, South Korea, Germany, Ireland, Italy), two-tier systems see well-off residents subscribe to private insurance, seeking shorter wait times or better care. New Zealand has recently expanded eligibility for financial support.
Long wait times are common in Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, while quality of service can vary substantially across different regions in Spain.
5.8
23
5.6
24
5.1
25
4.7
26
4.6
27
4.1
28
3.9
29
3.3
30
Health care systems in these countries typically suffer from severe inefficiencies, wide variations in the quality of care, or substantial numbers of uninsured citizens.
Rising costs and inefficient delivery of services have been particularly troublesome for the relatively poorer countries (Portugal, Slovakia, Hungary, Mexico, Greece). Universal coverage was established in Turkey in 2006, but is underfunded.
Quality varies substantially by region in Greece and Turkey, and by patients' socioeconomic status in Greece,
Poland and Mexico.
Although a majority of U.S. citizens receive very high quality care, one-sixth of the population lacks medical insurance.
Rising costs and inefficient delivery of services have been particularly troublesome for the relatively poorer countries (Portugal, Slovakia, Hungary, Mexico, Greece). Universal coverage was established in Turkey in 2006, but is underfunded.
Quality varies substantially by region in Greece and Turkey, and by patients' socioeconomic status in Greece,
Poland and Mexico.
Although a majority of U.S. citizens receive very high quality care, one-sixth of the population lacks medical insurance.
Rationale
Health-care systems are struggling to balance the demands of inclusiveness, aging populations and rising costs. Public health care policies should aim at providing high-quality health care for the largest possible share of the population, at the lowest possible costs.
Of the three criteria – quality, inclusiveness and cost efficiency – efficiency should be given less weight if the first two criteria can be considered fulfilled.
In most countries today, there is a combination of public and private health care systems. Health care costs are rising as populations age and as medical technology improves.
Performance comparison
Use drop-down menus for selections. In all cases, higher scores reflect better performance.
