Understanding the nuances of the health care system and the context that informs the various approaches to reform this system requires a closer look at both spending an access in the US health care system. Additional factors such as quality of care, efficiency in the use of resources, and effects of the system on quality of life are also integral to a broader understanding of current debates on health care reform. While many of these factors are independent of one another, understanding how they interact and affect each other is also necessary to understanding the current health care crisis.

The following sections will examine various factors of the current health care system in the United States by offering both an international comparison as well as a cross-regional comparison within the U.S.

Health Care Spending

• US Spends More on Health Care than Peers
• Health Care Spending is Growing Faster than the Economy
• High Costs Attributable to Complex Insurance System
• High Costs Don't Equal Better Quality
• Sources of Health Care Spending
• Out-of-Pocket Costs - a Growing Concern for Citizens

Health Care Access

• We Pay the Most & Cover the Least
• Where You Live Matters
• White, Wealthy Older Adults More Likely to be Insured

Health Care Quality

• Current System Not Up to Par
• Where You Live Matters: State Scorecard Compares Quality Across States
• All States Show Significant Room for Improvement
• Top States Consistently Rate Well, Bottom States Consistently Rate Poorly

Texas Health Care System Factsheets

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