Although there are approximately 200 countries in the world, all that use a form of healthcare fall under one of four basic systems of health care, or a similar variation. The U.S. however has adopted elements of each of them creating the “fragmented” system of health care we have today. While some countries have set up systems where everyone is covered in some way or another, ours cares to select people while being the most expensive of all of them. A big issue that has been about for a while in America is what to do about our healthcare plan, from coverage to cost. By looking at other health care plans in use today by other countries, we may be able to find something to fit our needs.
The United Kingdom uses a system referred to as “socialized medicine,” where the government both pays and provides for health care. This means the cost is taken in form af taxes leaving the consumers with no bills or co-payments in most cases. Patients must go through their general practitioner before seeing in more specialized doctor. The system provides health care to everyone but it does have its cons. Though they are currently working on it, this system leaves few choices and a wait for most procedures. Compared to the U.S., the U.K. has managed to cover all of its population while spending less money.
Japan uses a system called “social insurance.” In this system everyone is required to have health insurance. Payments are made through their work, or through community based plans. The average pay for a family is approximately $280 a month, with employers paying more than half. While Japan is thought to be spending “too little” on health coverage, one problem is in hospitals, because people have no gatekeepers, they go to the doctor for anything.
Taiwan uses a plan by called the “national health care plan.” This plan is similar to the previous counties plans because everyone is covered. The difference is that there is only one government run issuer. The average family will pay around $650 a year. Those with jobs will pay jointly with employers and others pay flat rates. Veterans and the poor are fully covered by the government. Taiwan’s health care system is the lowest in the world due to technology and its single insurer plan. Similar to Japan, Taiwan is not taking enough money to cover the medical care that it provides. Also, due to politics, changing the plan is hard to do because of the need of its parliament.
After viewing different systems used in other countries I think the most alarming thing to me was how much less money is spent in each country while still allowing all citizens to be covered. I think that it shows how efficient these systems really are. While the U.S. is much larger, and more populated than the majority of these countries, I don’t see why we couldn’t come up with health care system similar to these that could work. I do believe minor tweaks will be needed to be made in order to suit the majority of America’s preference.
In my opinion I believe something similar to “universal” healthcare is achievable in the near future. America is about freedom and choice, implementing these things with coverage for every citizen in the United States is what we really need.
Political Bio
- Kara Deolloz
- Austin, Texas, United States
- Unfortunately being born in the 90’s provides me with very limited political experience, views and ideals; whereas, others may have encountered many more life experiences and influences that have helped shaped their political ideology. Given this, I try my best to be as politically active and knowledgeable as I am capable of being at my age. Being an adolescent during a period of economic recession has surely had an influence on my political ideals. I believe we are too tied up in Democrat vs. Republican and Liberal vs. Conservative, but truly at this point in time it is important for our nation to put aside our differentiating views and find a common ground where we can start the rebuilding of the prosperous nation we were founded to be. As Henry Ford said, “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” With the completion of this course, I hope to better my political knowledge and advocacy, with the belief that well rounded political awareness and civic engagement are what fuel a functional and successful democracy.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Kara Deolloz makes an interesting case for universal health care plans in her editorial, “Health Care Around the World,” but I still find myself torn in my personal beliefs.
ReplyDeleteDeolloz argues that for being such an advanced and populated country, the United States has a poorly designed health care plan. She describes it as expensive and “fragmented” and promotes a universal health plan / insurance coverage similar to those in countries such as the United Kingdom and Japan. Deolloz points out the pros – and cons – of a universal health care system based on the success of other countries. She discusses the lower costs and explains how all citizens are covered. Some downfalls, she explains, include delays in seeing providers and “too little” money being spent on health care.
Deolloz wraps up her commentary discussing the freedom and choices of Americans. While I believe this adds a vital part to her post, I feel like it mildly contradicts what she says. For example, if America had one universal health plan, we would not have the freedom to choose our health insurance. I think the “fragmented” health care in the United States reflects the melting pot-style diversity in our country and undoubtedly allows for freedom of choice. However, I do agree with her in that our system needs a change: more people are in need of coverage, and the price of health care is extremely costly. Perhaps a future health care reform will include better options for those at the poverty level and lowered costs for all citizens.