Comparison of Health Care System Views and Experiences in Five Nations, 2001: Based on Commonwealth Fund 2001 International Health Policy Survey

The Commonwealth Fund 2001 International Health Policy Survey shows significant differences in the health care experiences of adults in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. While each country excels in its performance on certain dimensions of health care, distinct health system patterns emerged upon close analysis. The United States in particular stands out as having the most severe health care access problems related to cost, the greatest medical expense burdens, and the most pervasive inequities in care between adults with above-average and below-average income.