A Visit to Israel Sheds Light on Two Health Systems
<p>During a recent trip to Israel and the occupied West Bank for cross-national health policy discussions, Commonwealth Fund President David Blumenthal, M.D., and colleagues witnessed two dramatically different health care systems existing side by side. </p><p>In a new post on<em> To the Point, </em>Blumenthal discusses potential lessons for the United States. Israel, with its universal coverage, strong primary care, and widespread use of digital tools, has one of the world’s highest-performing health systems, as judged by national health statistics and spending levels. By contrast, the Palestinian health system is hampered by shortages of funding, personnel, and medications, as well as pervasive poverty and travel restrictions. </p>
<p>Although the influence of politics and ethnic and racial divides on health care in the U.S. may be better concealed, Blumenthal writes, it is no less important here. </p>