Question

Part 4

As a final assignment, provide a written paper (no more than 2 pages, 1.5 line spacing, 12 point font) addressing the current organization and delivery of healthcare systems in the United States. The United States is relatively unique in this respect with substantial roles for both private and public (government) entities. Provide insights regarding strengths and weaknesses of this topic (including aspects such as coverage, costs, role of patients, etc.) and include comparisons with international healthcare systems to support or refute the perspectives presented in your paper.

Answer 1

The U.S. Health care System:-

The health care system is mainly owned and operated by the private sector businesses. Around 21% of the hospitals are government owned and 58% are non-profit community hospitals and the 21% are for profit organization. The health care system is unique among the industrialized countries The U.S. does not have a uniform health system, has no universal health care coverage, and only recently enacted legislation mandating healthcare coverage for almost everyone. Despite being among the top world economic powers, the US remains the sole industrialized nation in the world without universal health care coverage.

In 2014, 48 percent of U.S. health care spending came from private funds, with 28 percent coming from households and 20 percent coming from private businesses. The federal government accounted for 28 percent of spending while state and local governments accounted for 17 percent. Most health care, even if publicly financed, is delivered privately.

The strengths of American health care:-

One of the strengths of American health care system is its strong private sector orientation, which facilitates ready access to all manner of services for those with stable coverage and strongly encourages on-going medical innovation by product manufacturers. The rapid advance of medical technology over the past half century has unquestionably improved the health status for millions of American citizens. Also the top 10 Pharmacy companies in the world, six of them are based in the US.

The weaknesses of American health care:-

The employer-based coverage is the Achilles’ heel of American health care. A main problem is that it is not portable or owned by the worker. It therefore leaves large gaps in coverage for those loosely attached to stable jobs. Moreover, because many millions of workers change jobs and insurance frequently, there is little incentive for prevention- the financial rewards of improved health do not accrue to those making the investment.

Also the fact that US has the world’s most expensive healthcare system. US Healthcare system is not patient centric, instead being driven by Government (Medicare) Insurance companies.

The differences with the other countries:-

1. On the basis of payments:-

The question when it comes to health insurance is "Who is going to pay for it?" Healthcare expenses are definitely high, and the full cost of coverage is difficult to bear. This is one of the areas where countries differ on how they handle insurance for citizens. In a single-payer system, the government, and not insurance companies, pays for the costs associated with health care. By being the only organization that purchases things related to health care, proponents of this system believe that costs are more effectively kept at reasonable levels. Health care providers may be private companies, such as in the case of Canada, or government-managed entities, such as in the case of the United Kingdom.

Now, America and the Canada could be considered multi-tiered systems by some, but they are a bit different in practice. For example, only certain Americans are eligible for government-sponsored health insurance. Those who do not qualify for Medicare must turn to other insurance plans and pay for them on their own or look for an employer who will cover those costs. In contrast, the Canadian system provides all citizens with basic health coverage from birth, but some citizens choose to purchase additional private insurance.

1. On the basis of wait times:-

In both the United States and countries with other types of health insurance plans, it's usually possible to make an appointment with your physician within a day or two, if the need is pressing. A less pressing problem, such as hip pain that's been going on for a few months, may require the patient to wait a week or two. Wait times to see specialists are also of concern to all citizens. However, there does not seem to be significant differences in wait times across the board between Americans and those with national health care programs. Citizens in all countries can experience wait times of up to a few months to see a specialist. Most specialists reserve certain time slots for new patients and certain time slots for those who have an immediate need.

The U.S. Health care System:-

The health care system is mainly owned and operated by the private sector businesses. Around 21% of the hospitals are government owned and 58% are non-profit community hospitals and the 21% are for profit organization. The health care system is unique among the industrialized countries The U.S. does not have a uniform health system, has no universal health care coverage, and only recently enacted legislation mandating healthcare coverage for almost everyone. Despite being among the top world economic powers, the US remains the sole industrialized nation in the world without universal health care coverage.

In 2014, 48 percent of U.S. health care spending came from private funds, with 28 percent coming from households and 20 percent coming from private businesses. The federal government accounted for 28 percent of spending while state and local governments accounted for 17 percent. Most health care, even if publicly financed, is delivered privately.

The strengths of American health care:-

One of the strengths of American health care system is its strong private sector orientation, which facilitates ready access to all manner of services for those with stable coverage and strongly encourages on-going medical innovation by product manufacturers. The rapid advance of medical technology over the past half century has unquestionably improved the health status for millions of American citizens. Also the top 10 Pharmacy companies in the world, six of them are based in the US.

The weaknesses of American health care:-

The employer-based coverage is the Achilles’ heel of American health care. A main problem is that it is not portable or owned by the worker. It therefore leaves large gaps in coverage for those loosely attached to stable jobs. Moreover, because many millions of workers change jobs and insurance frequently, there is little incentive for prevention- the financial rewards of improved health do not accrue to those making the investment.

Also the fact that US has the world’s most expensive healthcare system. US Healthcare system is not patient centric, instead being driven by Government (Medicare) Insurance companies.

The differences with the other countries:-

1. On the basis of payments:-

The question when it comes to health insurance is "Who is going to pay for it?" Healthcare expenses are definitely high, and the full cost of coverage is difficult to bear. This is one of the areas where countries differ on how they handle insurance for citizens. In a single-payer system, the government, and not insurance companies, pays for the costs associated with health care. By being the only organization that purchases things related to health care, proponents of this system believe that costs are more effectively kept at reasonable levels. Health care providers may be private companies, such as in the case of Canada, or government-managed entities, such as in the case of the United Kingdom.

Now, America and the Canada could be considered multi-tiered systems by some, but they are a bit different in practice. For example, only certain Americans are eligible for government-sponsored health insurance. Those who do not qualify for Medicare must turn to other insurance plans and pay for them on their own or look for an employer who will cover those costs. In contrast, the Canadian system provides all citizens with basic health coverage from birth, but some citizens choose to purchase additional private insurance.

1. On the basis of wait times:-

In both the United States and countries with other types of health insurance plans, it's usually possible to make an appointment with your physician within a day or two, if the need is pressing. A less pressing problem, such as hip pain that's been going on for a few months, may require the patient to wait a week or two. Wait times to see specialists are also of concern to all citizens. However, there does not seem to be significant differences in wait times across the board between Americans and those with national health care programs. Citizens in all countries can experience wait times of up to a few months to see a specialist. Most specialists reserve certain time slots for new patients and certain time slots for those who have an immediate need.