The French Healthcare System: Universal Healthcare In The United States

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The French Healthcare System offers universal healthcare, which is highly sought after around the world. Universal healthcare offers all residents with insurance coverage. The coverage is paid for through a tax taken out of individual’s checks. The insurance coverage is also offered to students and the elderly. French and American healthcare systems differ in a multitude of ways. They are two totally different systems, and the quality of care is quite different as well. In addition to the differences, there are also some similarities that can be observed. In this essay, the differences of French and American healthcare systems will be described, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each. Also, the similarities of the two countries …show more content…

The United States has government funded programs for the disabled, elderly, and poor. France has healthcare coverage for all citizens, including those who are trying to become legal. This is called universal healthcare, and the concept is astounding. “Entitlement comes through employment as a benefit, and through being a student or retired person.” (The Common Wealth Fund, 2017). Universal healthcare could solve a lot of our problems in the United States. If universal healthcare existed in America, the millions of uncovered would finally have coverage. “In France, the system is largely financed by government health care insurance.” (Bourne, 2014). The residents have a tax come out of their paychecks, which funds the coverage. If universal coverage were to be introduced to America, citizens may agree to the tax if it meant they could receive health …show more content…

According to the Common Wealth Fund, American spent 17.1% of gross domestic product on healthcare, yet France spent 11.6% of gross domestic product. The difference is striking, considering France has universal healthcare, yet they spend less on healthcare than America! Also, when regarding “quality of care system, France ranked second, while America ranked forty-first.” (NationMaster, 2017). Healthcare costs are continuously rising, and finding a fix to America’s healthcare system could potentially allow us to rank higher. Typically, European countries have the highest rankings, partly due to universal healthcare. America has a lot to learn from France, starting with identifying the problem: costs. The cost of healthcare in the United States has continuously risen, until the Affordable Care Act, and the rising slowed. America could start by adjusting Obamacare, creating a type of gap insurance, and learn how to budget more