The study examines the equity in physician utilization among 21 OECD countries in 2000, focusing on the distribution of visits to general practitioners (GPs) and medical specialists. Using data from national surveys and the European Community Household Panel, the researchers standardized visits for need differences using age, sex, and reported health levels. They found that about half of the countries studied exhibited inequity in physician utilization, favoring higher-income patients. The degree of pro-rich inequity was highest in the United States and Mexico, followed by Finland, Portugal, and Sweden. While most countries showed no evidence of inequity in GP visits, after controlling for need differences, higher-income individuals were significantly more likely to see specialists, with particularly large gradients in Portugal, Finland, Ireland, and Italy. The study highlights the need for further research to understand the policy implications and potential health outcomes of these inequities.The study examines the equity in physician utilization among 21 OECD countries in 2000, focusing on the distribution of visits to general practitioners (GPs) and medical specialists. Using data from national surveys and the European Community Household Panel, the researchers standardized visits for need differences using age, sex, and reported health levels. They found that about half of the countries studied exhibited inequity in physician utilization, favoring higher-income patients. The degree of pro-rich inequity was highest in the United States and Mexico, followed by Finland, Portugal, and Sweden. While most countries showed no evidence of inequity in GP visits, after controlling for need differences, higher-income individuals were significantly more likely to see specialists, with particularly large gradients in Portugal, Finland, Ireland, and Italy. The study highlights the need for further research to understand the policy implications and potential health outcomes of these inequities.