The U.S. pays more for health care than any other industrialized country, but we often fail to get the results we should. In a new video, Commonwealth Fund president Karen Davis discusses how changing the way we pay for and deliver health care will improve the quality and efficiency of the health system.
Paying for care on a fee-for-service basis—the payment approach that predominates in the U.S.—encourages doctors to provide unnecessary care and drives up costs, Davis says. The Affordable Care Act will help move us away from paying for individual services and toward paying for better health outcomes. The health care law also will help to streamline care by encouraging the adoption of electronic health systems and the establishment of accountable care organizations.
This is the third installment in The Commonwealth Fund’s series of videos designed to increase understanding of some of the most important changes happening in the U.S. health care system. Previous videos looked at how the Affordable Care Act will help to improve health care access, quality, and outcomes for vulnerable populations, and how medical homes are improving access to high-quality care while lowering costs. An upcoming video will explore insurance coverage expansion.
To watch this video on an iPad or iPhone, please visit our Multimedia Center.