The Value of Investment in Health Care: Better Care, Better Lives

The report was published Jan. 28, 2004, by The Value Group -- a coalition consisting of the American Hospital Association, Federation of American Hospitals, Healthcare Leadership Council, Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), American College of Cardiology, National Pharmaceutical Council, and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.

The Value of Investment in Health Care - Resources

Imagine what America would have been like had we neglected to invest what we have in health care during the past 20 years.

Now, in a landmark study, researchers and a coalition of seven leading health care organizations have found that without such an advancement these past 20 years, in the year 2000:

There would have been 470,000 more deaths
There would have been 2.3 million more people with disabilities
Patients would have spent 206 million more days in hospitals

In fact, according to the study, over the past 20 years, each additional dollar spent on health care services has produced $2.40 to $3 in tangible gains in health care.

These and other findings are part of The Value of Investment in Health Care: Better Care, Better Lives. The report was published Jan. 28, 2004, by The Value Group -- a coalition consisting of the American Hospital Association, Federation of American Hospitals, Healthcare Leadership Council, Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), American College of Cardiology, National Pharmaceutical Council, and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. The report was compiled for this group by MEDTAP International Inc., in collaboration with researchers at Research Triangle Institute and Duke University.

AHA President Dick Davidson discusses the report. (Windows Media format)

As lawmakers address rising health care costs, this groundbreaking study provides evidence on a critical issue frequently missing from the discussion: The value of our increasing investment in health care.

The executive summary, full report, disease summary report, appendices, and presentation materials are available for public use.