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US health care system has much to learn from Israel, says US health care leader

Posted on August 10, 2007 • By Deena Levenstein
Category: Science Leave a Comment

A group of American health care leaders traveled to Israel to learn about the health care system there.

Ruth Brinkley was among the group of 12 from the Women Business Leaders of the U.S. Health Care Industry Foundation.

“Israel guarantees healthcare coverage for all. Its success in implementing universal coverage demonstrates that it can be done,” writes Brinkley in an article which outlines the main ideas which impressed her about the Israeli system.

She especially took note of the ongoing technological innovations in regards to health care. She writes how noticeable it is that the Israeli healthcare system encourages and the economy thrives on technological innovation.

Brinkley writes, “Israel’s scientific community seems to have particular passion, talent and creativity to advance healthcare technology and deploy that technology to the patient-care setting.

“There is palpable excitement around healthcare research and technological innovations,” she continues. “These technologies promise more advances and less invasive treatments and interventions that result in shorter recuperations and, ultimately, improved productivity. In some cases, the technology is relatively inexpensive. There is also great promise for success in earlier detection and management of chronic illnesses.”

“Israelis understand that health benefits, education, innovation and entrepreneurship are requirements, not options.”

For most of the participants, the trip provided them the first opportunity to learn about how this small country manages to cover all of its residents.

Ruth Brinkley, “Inspired by Israel”, Modern Healthcare Online, August 7, 2007.