How Does the Quality of U.S. Health Care Compare Internationally?

There is a perception among many Americans that despite coverage, cost and other problems in the health care system, the quality of health care in the United States is better than it is anywhere else in the world and might be threatened by health reform. In fact, 55 percent of Americans surveyed last year said U.S. patients receive better quality of care than do those in other nations, even though only 45percent said they thought the United States had the world’s best health care system. And while Americans overwhelmingly support government action to increase coverage and reduce the costs of health care, a recent poll found that 63 percent worry that the quality of their own care would get worse if the government ensured health care for all. Another poll found that as many as 81percent of Americans have such concerns.