U.S. study gives Vermont #1 for best health care

William Atkins
Friday, 09 October 2009 22:01

Science - Health

According to the 2009 State Scorecard: “Improving the performance of all states to the levels achieved by the best states could save thousands of lives and billions of dollars.” [USA Today]

Cathy Schoen, senior vice president of the Commonwealth Fund Commission, stated, "Leading states have raised the bar for better access, quality of care and reducing disparities." [U.S. News and World Report (10-8-09): “Health Care Varies From State to State”]

Schoen adds, "Where you live matters for how long you live and how healthy you live.” [USA Today (10-8-09): “'Shockingly wide' health gaps among states”]

She concludes, “Where you live in the U.S. matters in terms of your health care, and it shouldn't." [U.S. News and World Report]

The authors of the study are: Douglas McCarthy, Sabrina K. H. How, and Cathy Schoen, all three from The Commonwealth Fund; and Joel C. Cantor and Dina Belloff, both from Rutgers University Center for State Health Policy.