Comparison Of The US International Health Care System

Comparison of the United States Health Care System with Other

International Health Care Systems

Introduction

Health care delivery systems continue to be a topic that is debated among political arenas and private sectors. Most countries medical care is managed through their government and require their citizens to join the insurance delivery system (Bodenheimer & Grumbach, 2016). The other option is privately paying for and receiving medical care (Bodenheimer & Grunbach, 2016).We will explore healthcare systems in four international nations: Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Japan. These nations have adopted universal health care which provides guaranteed financial access to medical services for all citizens.

Philosophy, Access & Cost

In Germany 86% of the citizens participate in a mandatory sickness fund where 15.5% of their earnings support this fund and provide health care coverage (Bodenheimer & Grunbach, 2016). The remaining 11% are covered by voluntary insurance plans and 3% under special programs. Fifty-three percent of their citizens report quick access to health care when needed (Common-wealth Fund, 2015).

In Canada, everyone receives the same health insurance and it is included in the taxes they required to pay which cost almost 40% of the family’s income (Bodenheimer & Grunbach, 2016). There are two funding mechanisms proved by the provincial government with social insurance and public assistance (Bodenheimer & Grunbach, 2016). Private health insurance can be purchased to cover any gaps in the provincial government plans (Bodenheimer & Grunbach, 2016). Forty-three percent of their citizens report quick access to health care when needed (Common-wealth Fund,

When comparing Japan and the US there are differences such as diet that may impact the overall outcomes of healthcare more than the delivery of health services. This could be supported when the major cause of death is reviewed. In the US the number one cause of death is heart disease and in Japan, it is Alzheimer’s. If these factors are not statistically significant the health care system in Japan may be one that the US should model after. Using an employment-based program allows the employer and employee to share the burden (Bodenheimer & Grunbach, 2016). If our unemployment rate was low, there would not be many citizens who needed support from a National Health Service insurance plan. However, to provide more insurance there would need to be a small amount of taxes set aside to support health insurance. Instead of taking more from those who do work, the taxes that are already paid should be allocated in a way to provide insurance subsidies to those who are unable to work or provide for their health insurance. Regulations would need to be set forth that required individuals to work if they are able to allow them to participate in the national health insurance