Working Toward a More Competent Healthcare System: A Review

In 2000 the World Health Organization (WHO) rated the United States (US) health care system at 15th in overall performance and 1st in overall per capita expenditure. Combining the two ratings left the US ranked at 37th in the world. In 2010, a Commonwealth Fund report ranked the US in last position based on health care quality, efficiency, access, equity and healthy lives. Studies suggest the US system results in inequality, injustice and denial of human rights for some segments of the population. This severely impacts the poor, and studies show that health levels are related to ethnic and racial disparities in access to care. Efforts at reform have produced gains for disadvantaged populations, but no real solutions. This study investigates deficiencies in the US health care system and structural barriers for low income and minority patients, and suggests possible remedies that professional health administrators can pursue to reduce these problems and provide lower costs, better access and better outcomes for these populations going forward.