Denmark’s socialized health care system is supplemented by an innovative, consumer-driven approach to prescription drug prices. — By Gregg Girvan, Grant Rigney, and Avik Roy Introduction Denmark ranks 7th in the 2022 World Index of Healthcare Innovation, up from 11th in 2021 and 14th in 2020, with an overall score of 52.41. Denmark excels in Science & Technology (4th), thanks to its medical advances and widespread adoption of…

Cost of living is one of many neglected challenges facing lower-income Americans. — Many people believe that the biggest policy problem in America is income inequality. But the American discussion of income inequality is wholly inadequate to the real challenges facing those most in need of economic opportunity. There are six basic problems with using income inequality as our lens for thinking about…

Most new medicines are developed by unprofitable startups that can succeed under a wide range of pricing systems. — By Gregg Girvan and Avik Roy Executive Summary The United States has, by far, the highest prescription drug prices in the world. Aggressive annual price increases by drugmakers in the U.S. market are widening the price gap between America and the rest of the world. The most common argument used to…

The original cryptocurrency can improve the financial security of hourly wage earners and retirees on fixed incomes. — To younger Americans, digital money is as intuitive as digital media and digital friendships. But Millennials with smartphones are not the only people interested in bitcoin; a growing number of investors are also flocking to the currency’s banner. Surveys indicate that as many as 21% of U.S. hedge funds now…

A first-of-its-kind ranking of 32 national health care systems on quality, choice, science & technology, and fiscal sustainability. — A new way to compare national health systems In the United States, the debate over health care reform revolves primarily around universality: how to ensure that every American has access to affordable health insurance and health care. In nearly every other wealthy nation, however, universality has already been achieved. In these other countries, policymakers struggle to keep health…

Five countries with universal private health insurance—Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, & Israel—top the 2021 rankings. — By Gregg Girvan and Avik Roy Executive Summary It turns out that legendary Swiss efficiency isn’t just for watches and train schedules—it’s also for health care. In 2021, as in 2020, Switzerland stood atop the FREOPP World Index of Healthcare Innovation, ranking highly in all four dimensions of Quality, Choice, Science &…

The UAE’s two largest emirates have achieved universal coverage. Will the others follow? — Introduction The United Arab Emirates ranks 20th in the World Index of Healthcare Innovation, with an overall score of 45.23. UAE scored highest on Fiscal Sustainability (#8, 65.79), owing to its low debt-to-GDP ratio of 19.7%, and its low public spending growth. UAE’s heterogeneous system performed poorly in Choice (#28, 45.86)…

Switzerland’s universal system of individually-purchased health insurance is a model for U.S. reform. — By Gregg Girvan and Avik Roy Introduction For the second straight year, the Swiss health care system ranks first overall out of 31 countries ranked in the World Index of Healthcare Innovation, with a score of 65.15, ahead of second-ranked Netherlands and third-ranked Germany. Switzerland was at or near the top…

Slovakia suffers from limited health insurance choices and poor health outcomes. — By Gregg Girvan and Avik Roy Introduction Slovakia ranks 29th in the World Index of Healthcare Innovation, with an overall score of 37.70. Slovakia performed strongest in Fiscal Sustainability (#14, 59.06), owing to its relatively low cost of care. On the other hand, Slovakia performed poorly in Science & Technology (#30…