Essay On East Germany Health Care System

Health care insurance in the U.S. is extremely competitive and not always fair. Recently in 2012, The Affordable Care Act passed by Barack Obama set new regulations regarding insurance. According to this Act, employers of 50+ employees must offer health insurance, public health insurance such as Medicare and Medicaid was made affordable for those that qualify, it is illegal for anyone to be denied insurance due to pre-existing conditions, and everyone must have health insurance or they will endure tax penalties. For Medicare and Medicaid, each state has different qualifications regarding eligibility. Private health insurance is not mandatory, but many of those that can afford it prefer it because it will cover more than any government insurance. Private health insurance also offers family plans along with single plans(varying from company to company), which will definitely attract middle to high income families. Health insurance is an absolute essential in the U.S. as it is up to the citizen to obtain one that works for them.

Germany’s healthcare system is split into two types of coverage which is public and private health insurance. Health insurance companies are not able to deny people coverage due to pre-existing illnesses or to discontinue their treatment because of high costs. The public health care insurance is provided by statute to individuals who are not eligible for private insurance which is people who are salary and make under $50,000 annually. As people age and become ill, they are able to opt out of their insurance and turn to the government’s option. As the economy continues to fluctuate, the population of Germany relies more heavily on the legislative insurance which consists of 85-90% of the population.

Some countries have mainly private insurance systems like France, Germany, and Japan (Chatterjee 24). A person must purchase health insurance to receive care from private doctors (Chatterjee 24). All citizens must purchase this private insurance (Chatterjee 24). Every person who purchased insurance is given a digital card, similar

This means that both systems require almost all citizens to buy insurance and both systems impose fines on citizens who do not comply. Secondly, both German and US healthcare system are a mixture of public and private components. Both have statutory health insurance and private

Germany’s health care system pays for not only healthcare basics but also dental, optical, mental health. They will also pay for alternative therapies like homeopathy, to go to a spa, and more. The healthcare system is highly accepted by the German population. Pregnant women pay nothing for their care, while most Germans have a co-pay of $15 dollars once every 3 months for their doctor visits (Saul, 2014).

There are many individuals’ that think the German health care system is one of the best in the world. Back in 1883 a man by the name of Otto von Bismarck, created Germany’s health care system; a universal health care system which is the oldest in Europe ("Otto von Bismarck," 2012). When the German health care system was created, it was mandatory for a select few mainly, low-income workers and specific government employees. Gradually the system was expanded to cover the entire German population. Under the German universal health care system 85 % of their population has

Healthcare industry in United States has been an important industry for a long time. It is one such industry that has representation from both public sector and private sector. The current health care system is segregated and fragmented in America. Some states have very effective and efficient healthcare system while some states lack the desired infrastructure. The evolution of healthcare system in USA can be traced back to 1750. The period from 1750 to 1849 is termed as preindustrial period where the care of sick people was primarily handled by families (Brian, 2010). The period of 1850 to 1969 is termed as postindustrial period which reflects the growth of organized medicine and systematic healthcare delivery.

An evaluation of the insurances for these two systems must be viewed including, different insurances available and the individuals covered will be assessed. Germany has funds for sick individuals can purchase that are supported by taxes collected from employment (Thomas & Mossialos, 2010). The sick funds are primarily obtained from payer systems. In the United States, insurance may be employer based or coverage

The first characteristic of the US health care system is that there is no central governing agency which allows for little integration and coordination. While the government has a great influence on the health care system, the system is mostly controlled through private hands. The system is financed publically and privately creating a variety of payments and delivery unlike centrally controlled healthcare systems in other developed countries. The US system is more complex and less manageable than centrally controlled health care systems, which makes it more expensive. The second characteristic of the US health care system is that it is technology driven and focuses on acute care. With more usage of high technology,

Most government financed systems are inclined to make available for every person living in the nation with treatment which proposes access to some fundamental level of care. Majority of people pay for coverage through taxes and additional charges. In government financed health care the government may provide care itself such as the United Kingdom or they may contact other providers to do so ex: Germany and Japan or in the United States

If this particular system isn't working, then what will? The possibilities are numerous considering many countries around the world offer different types of healthcare. In the film, "Sickness Around the World," a reporter T.R. Reid visited 5 wealthy/developed countries: the United Kingdom, Japan, Taiwan, Switzerland, and Germany (Palfreman 2008). Each of these countries has it's own pros and cons when it comes to healthcare. For instance, the UK has singular government run system that it's citizen's do not have to pay for. However, waits to receive treatment can take a long time and taxes are much higher. Whereas, in Japan, the government regulates all the costs and prices yet, services are largely privatized. This puts hospitals and doctors offices in financial deficits. In the small country of Taiwan, leaders took bits and pieces other systems around the world. Leaving them with, one government insurer who collects money, competitive medical providers, and low premiums. The Swiss, have a system where only certain types of care can be profited from. And lastly, the Germans pay premiums based on income and pharmaceutical drugs are cheaper because the sickness funds are negotiated with medical providers. Yet, because of all the sacrifices the providers makes, they often feel underpaid for their services (Palfreman 2008). It is important to note, that these systems did not appear overnight, they would shaped and changed many

As some people were skeptical about the basis for the ranking, several studies were conducted, this time including “amenable mortality” in the criteria. France was first in the ranking. One good thing about France’s health care system is that everyone has health care. The country is also reported to rely on private and government insurance. Unlike the United States, France lets its citizens to have freedom in choosing hospitals, doctors, and care. Additionally, the health care system does not put much constrain on doctors with regards to making medical decisions. The same situation is evident on German health care system, where everyone has fully portable health insurance which comes with package of benefits. Like France, Germany lets its patients have freedom in choosing doctor and hospital during illness. A survey showed that patients and physicians in Germany are both satisfied with their health care system (Reinhardt, 1994, p.22).

Waiting lists for treatments are rare. Medical facilities are equipped with the latest technology and the statutory health insurance scheme provides nearly full cover for most medical treatments and medicines. Almost everybody in Germany has access to this system, irrespective of income or social status.

Germany has a market based health system. They have universal health care that covers medical, dental, mental health and even homeopathy. Insurance companies cannot make a profit from insured customers. Therefore, the price for insurance is negotiated between the government and the Insurance provider. Like any other healthcare system there are

The problem is rooted in its legacy in Nikolai Semashko’s concept of Soviet healthcare (Lekhan, Volodymyr, and Richardson). In 1918, the Peoples’ Commissioner of Heath at the time, Semashko placed the onus on the state to provide universal access to free healthcare. He created a uniform state system that was run under the supervision of the central government. The insurance system was abolished, healthcare workers became government employees and the state was responsible for training medical professionals. When first adopted, universal healthcare brought about a higher quality of life in Ukraine with reductions in infant mortality and in communicable diseases (18). However, this highly centralized universal system did not provide uniform care across the country. First there were higher quality services available to certain groups like government workers, military servicemen, and industrial workers. Additionally, only a portion of present-day Ukraine had implemented this system because Western Ukraine was part of Hungary and Poland and accepted their health insurance structure until it was annexed by the Soviet Union in