Another look at those OECD numbers
Online posting: February 27, 1997
Published in print: July 1, 1997 CMAJ 1997;157:14
Where do we stand in the OECD?, by Lynda Buske, Can Med Assoc
J 1997;156:464 [full text / texte complet]
Many variables affect the percentage of gross domestic product
(GDP) that a nation spends on health care. It is useful that CMAJ
published the most recent comparative data from the Organization
for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), since these are
often used in discussions. However, the variations may depend on
a country's priorities and on factors such as levels of
remuneration of physicians, nurses and hospital administrators.
It seems valid to compare the broad political approach to the
organization of health care. From the data provided, it is
apparent that countries with a greater ratio of public to private
expenditure also have a lower total expenditure as a percentage
of GDP. This supports the National Forum on Health's
recommendation of a universal drug program and its belief that
this will reduce overall costs.
It does not make sense for the commentator to relate the
variation in health care expenditure between Canada and the
United Kingdom to the mistaken belief that physicians there bill
10% of their revenue privately or that Canadian legislation
outlaws private insurance. According to the CMA's own research in
Canadian Health Care in the Global Village (published in
August 1995), this is incorrect.
Robert Frankford, MD
Toronto, Ont.
hbrf@inforamp.net
CMAJ email
CMAJ Readers' Forum