27 Oct Best Response to the discussions below.

Best Response to the discussions below.

1st Discussion:

What healthcare features can be used in a comparison of various international healthcare systems?

Life expectancy, access to healthcare, mortality rates for varying concerns ,and hospitalizations are some points used when comparing the various healthcare delivery systems worldwide. This weeks reading showed that in countries where healthcare was provided by the government, people lived longer and healthier lives.

What is the role of the government in other international countries?

The Canadian federal government provides funding for provinces and territories to deliver the required healthcare to its citizens. When a resident moves to another province, they are provided with health coverage for up to three months while they register in their new province. This ensures that the resident maintains the ability to obtain healthcare while ensuring the person is registered correctly for funds to be distributed for required care. The Canadian federal government also supports health research and monitoring of public health concerns; including, regulating food, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and radiation-emitting devices like cell phones (Health Canada, n.d.).

In Germany all non cosmetic healthcare is covered by the government. Although there is an option for privately funded healthcare, most citizens are happy with the coverage provided by the government (How Germany’s Universal Health-Care System Works, 2019).

 

Describe the healthcare systems of 3 countries that are often discussed for comparison to the US System

The Japanese healthcare system is considered stellar by many. Their insurance coverage is funded by employers and by the government; based on income. The success to their health system is created by the government setting the fees for all services (fromTOKYO, 2019).

In Germany there is the Statutory Health Insurance (SHI) and Public Health Insurance (PHI). Theirs is a system that is comprised of not for profit insurance.

Canada’s healthcare is public-funded and based on the need for medical care, not the ability to pay. Access to healthcare is universal, although private insurance does exist for those that want additional or more extensive coverage.

All of these countries have residents who are primarily happy with care and have better health outcomes than the US.

 

 

Reference

 

 

 

fromTOKYO, P. (2019, February 1). How Much I PAY at a Japanese Hospital on Japan’s Healthcare System. YouTube. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GPnvbfVqBY&feature=youtu.be

 

Health Canada. (n.d.). Canada’s health care system – Canada.ca. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/canada-health-care-system.html

 

How Germany’s Universal Health-Care System Works. (2019, November 24). YouTube. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d3QLPdHysc&feature=youtu.be

 

Tokyo, S. (2009, August 23). Japan’s Health Care System. YouTube. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFqgsUdR81g&feature=youtu.be

 

 

 

2nd Discussion:

 

 

 

What healthcare features can be used in a comparison of various international healthcare systems?

 

 

Based on a survey conducted by the United States-based foundation, the Commonwealth Fund, International comparisons reflected that problems associated with access to healthcare are greater in the United States than in 7 other developed countries. Healthcare features including cost of medical care may be used in a comparison of various international healthcare systems. For example, American adults needing medical attention are not getting adequate healthcare as they cannot fill their prescriptions, they cannot see a doctor if they are facing a healthcare issue, and cannot afford to get necessary tests or treatments, all because of the cost of healthcare (Barnes, 2013). In another survey, the United States ranked well in comparison to 11 other developed countries, pertaining to waiting time for seeing a surgeon or specialist (Barnes, 2013). Additionally, primary care is another feature of healthcare that can be analyzed. In comparison to other high income countries, the United States places a lesser focus on primary care.

 

 

What is the role of the government in other international countries?

In Germany’s healthcare system, the way German citizen’s access and pay for healthcare is influenced by a “near universal acceptance of a specified government role in society and economy” (Glucroft, 2010). According to a Berlin citizen and English teacher, Germans are in line with social democracy in their country because they understand the necessity of it. This English teacher, for instance, has observed how the various ways the German government assists their citizens, by enabling them to help themselves.

 

 

Sweden’s healthcare system is rooted in social services philosophies that were influenced by the early 1900s depression. They observe and follow the national welfare model, where features such as basic financial security and universal social services are valued (Albi et al. 2010). Although there have been several healthcare reforms since the 1970s, “the basic structure of the system has been relatively stable” (Albi et al. 2010).

 

 

Describe the healthcare systems of 3 countries that are often discussed for comparison to the US System

The healthcare system in Switzerland is quite different when compared to managed care in the United States. Referrals for medical care are not given by primary care physicians (PCPs) as they are in the United States managed care system. Normally, the PCP serves as an essential participant in the contribution of an efficient healthcare system. Countries such as Norway and the United Kingdom have healthcare systems that do consist of PCPs, and thus, their referral rates to secondary care are higher than in the United States. Health insurance is required for Switzerland citizens and funding is provided by health insurance premiums. PCPs are not mandated in the Swiss healthcare system, but there is an option for citizens to purchase a managed care plan that does incorporate PCPs in their plan, at a reduction of premium costs (Tandjung, 2017).

 

References

 

 

Albin, B., Hjelm, K., Wen Chang Zhang, Albin, B., & Chang Zhang, W. (2010). Health care systems in Sweden and China: Legal and formal organisational aspects. Health Research Policy & Systems, 8, 20-27. https://doi.org/10.1186/1478-4505-8-20

 

 

Barnes, T. R. (2013). Health Systems in Transition. Retrieved from United States of America Health system review: https://course.lapu.edu/pluginfile.php/1484127/mod_resource/content/0/HiT-United-States-of-America.pdf

 

 

Glucroft, B. (2010, December 29). What Germany could teach America about health-care reform and government’s role. Christian Science Monitor, N.PAG.

 

 

Tandjung, R., Morell, S., Hanhart, A., Haefeli, A., Valeri, F., Rosemann, T., & Senn, O. (2017). Referral determinants in Swiss primary care with a special focus on managed care. PLoS ONE, 12(11), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0186307

 

 

 

3rd Discussion:

 

 

 

What healthcare features can be used in a comparison of various international healthcare systems?

In the United States suffers greatly from access and ability to afford care in comparison to seven other nations. Progressivity in the financial system is another area where the US does not measure up the other developed countries while Health outcomes, health services outcomes and the quality of care is an area where the US demonstrates better abilities. Population health is where we see the US holds higher number of hospital admissions for diabetes and congestive heart failure compared to other countries.

 

What is the role of the government in other international countries?

When looking at the way the government actively plays a role in their healthcare system we can look at Canada, France, Germany, and Great Britain and we can see that they use a government funded healthcare system to provide universal coverage compared to the US which has no universal coverage provided by the government. Additionally, the continues to spend a higher amount on health care while the four government funded health care systems listed above spends a much smaller amount because physicians get paid less and are not qualified for specialties compared to the US.

 

Describe the healthcare systems of 3 countries that are often discussed for comparison to the US System

The healthcare system of the Netherlands is based off a social health insurance program that combines public and private care options. Great Britain offers a free public healthcare system that includes all health care services from hospital and physician care all the way to mental health care.  Canada has a health care system based on a public funded system called Canadian Medicare that provides insurance plans and cash assistance however it is shown that two thirds still choose to carry private insurance. Compared to the US healthcare system and its mix of public and private insurance, other countries have a more straightforward approach to services while the US can be complex and require money to obtain and access services.

 

 

References:

 

 Brown, L. D. (2003). Comparing health systems in four countries: lessons for the United States. American Journal of Public Health, 93(1), 52-56. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.93.1.52

 

Kurani, N., & Wager, E. (2019). How does the quality of the U.S. healthcare system compare to other countries? – Peterson-Kaiser Health System Tracker https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collection/quality-u-s-healthcare-system-compare-countries/#item-start

 

Tikkanen, R., Osborn, R., Mossialos, E., Djordjevic, A., & Wharton, G. (2020, June 5). Netherlands | Commonwealth Fund. Www.commonwealthfund.org. https://www.commonwealthfund.org/international-health-policy-center/countries/netherlands

 

Tikkanen, R., Osborn, R., Mossialos, E., Djordjevic, A., & Wharton, G. A. (2020). England | Commonwealth Fund. Www.commonwealthfund.org. https://www.commonwealthfund.org/international-health-policy-center/countries/england

 

Tikkanen, R., Osborn, R., Mossialos, E., Djordjevic, A., & Wharton, G. (2020, June 5). Canada | Commonwealth Fund. Www.commonwealthfund.org; The Commonwealth Fund. https://www.commonwealthfund.org/international-health-policy-center/countries/canada

 

 

 

4th Discussion:

 

 

 

What healthcare features can be used in a comparison of various international healthcare systems?

Some healthcare features that can be used in comparison of various International healthcare systems here in the US are the health insurance programs that are implemented in places like Canada and Germany. In Canada, most of the health insurance is government funded having the citizens out of pocket cost very minimal or none at all.

 

What is the role of the government in other international countries?

the role of the government in other international countries allows for financial assistance, enforce rules, team up with other countries in times of crisis like the covid-19 pandemic, war, etc.

 

Describe the healthcare systems of 3 countries that are often discussed for comparison to the US System

Canada has a generalized healthcare system called Canadian Medicare that is funded publicly and is distributed by the 13 providences and territories, All citizens and permanent residents receive medically necessary hospital and physician services free at the point of use.

Germany -Health insurance is mandatory in Germany. Approximately 86 percent of the population is enrolled in statutory health insurance, which provides inpatient, outpatient, mental health, and prescription drug coverage.

Health insurance is provided by two subsystems: statutory health insurance (SHI), consisting of competing, not-for-profit, nongovernmental health insurance plans known as sickness funds; and private health insurance.

Long-term care services are covered separately under Germany’s mandatory, statutory long-term care insurance (LTCI).

 

france- The French government sets the national health strategy and allocates budgeted expenditures to regional health agencies, which are responsible for planning and service delivery. Enrollment in France’s statutory health insurance system is mandatory. The system covers most costs for hospital, physician, and long-term care, as well as prescription drugs; patients are responsible for coinsurance, copayments, and balance bills for physician charges that exceed covered fees. The insurance system is funded primarily by payroll taxes (paid by employers and employees), a national income tax, and tax levies on certain industries and products. Ninety-five percent of citizens have supplemental insurance to help with these out-of-pocket costs, as well as dental, hearing, and vision care.

 

https://medical.rossu.edu/about/blog/us-vs-canadian-healthcare

https://www.commonwealthfund.org/international-health-policy-center/countries/canada

https://www.commonwealthfund.org/international-health-policy-center/countries/france