Health Policy Research Update

The U.S. had the highest per capita health care spending of industrialized countries in 2003, but U.S. spending per capita on health information technology in 2003 was the lowest, according to a study in the latest edition of the journal Health Affairs. Researchers recommended further adoption of health IT systems to help reduce health care spending and improve health care outcomes in the U.S.

This week's roundup also includes summaries and links to research on:

• Coverage policies for medications for mental illnesses under the Medicare drug benefit;
  
  
• Uninsured people's consumption of health care services with respect to their income levels;
  
  
• Hospitals' adherence to quality-care guidelines; and
  
  
• Medical malpractice premiums.