The gains in health care coverage and access to care made under the Affordable Care Act have fundamentally changed the health insurance system. But reaching the millions of adults who are still without coverage is one big remaining challenge. Another is ensuring that those who are insured can afford their health plans and their health care.

In the United States, two groups experience problems with their health care more intensely and more frequently than any other: people with high health care needs and high costs, and people with low income. Improvements in care for these patients are possible through changes in the way health care is delivered and paid for — and may spur better performance across the entire health system.

Benchmarking U.S. health system performance against other high-income nations, and highlighting best practices from around the world, can help the U.S. face the challenge of mounting pressure of lowering health care costs while maintaining access to the latest in medical technologies, improving quality and safety, and making the health system more responsive to patients’ needs and preferences. Read our International News Brief for the latest policy updates from partner countries.