Health Care Policies Across Different Countries

A national health care system in the United States has been a contentious topic of debate for over a century. Social reformists have been fighting for universal health care for all Americans, while the opposition claims that a “social” heath care system has no place in the ‘Land of the Free’.

Health care systems are different in every country around the world. There are four main components that complete a health care delivery system, described by Shi and Singh (2015) as the quad-function model, which includes insurance, financing, payment and delivery of care (p. 5). Along with the components of the quad-function model it is important to analyze a countries access to care, their health outcomes and how public health is integrated into the health care delivery system. The United States has a unique health care system that is like no other country. Great Britian, in contrast, also has a unique system that is very different than the United States.

Health care systems are highly complex and require vast resources. Moreover, providing healthcare coverage to all citizens can be challenging for many countries. Different models and theories abound all over the world about how best to provide care and only the most developed countries have adequate resources to truly provide universal coverage to their citizens.

Simultaneously, health and healthcare policy plays a tremendous role in the quality of life of every American. Likewise, by the government constantly interceding, health and healthcare is significantly influenced by the political climate and undertakings of administration; therefore creating a conflictual split between republicans and democrats. Health care is regarded as a product rather than a human right shaped by policymaking. Policies establish healthcare service stipulations, which are rooted in local, state, and federal statutes combined with landmark court decisions. Not only does policy focus on healthcare services; but, it also places a substantial emphasis on cost-efficiency and equality.

Healthcare is an ever growing concern around the world today. Populations continue to grow and people are living longer than ever. Nations have different systems for healthcare. The United States and Japan are two healthcare systems that are have different coverages for their citizens.

The judiciary, executive, legislature, at both state and federal levels, are the three branches of government primarily responsible for the formulation of healthcare policies in the United States. There are other non-governmental organizations such as professional and ethics bodies that provide rules and guidelines in some health care policies.

Finding a healthcare system that is beneficial and affordable for the country’s citizens is challenging and often seems impossible due to the high price of medical care and the broad spectrum of healthcare issues that insurance plans must cover. The debate of a healthcare system which is affordable, effective, and accessible for the majority of the population is a topic of great discussion. The United States and Switzerland health care systems are prime examples of this debate. The United States has The Affordable Care Act, or Obama Care as it is commonly known in Switzerland residents have a Universal Health Care System. While both systems provide health care to their residents, they each have good and less desirable aspects to them.

While elaborating on health care status and some of the benefits that is offered here in the United States vs Japan. I’ve chosen Japan health care system because of the awesome benefits that is offered in that country by their government. The characteristics of good health, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually involves in how one adjusts to life events and feel about themselves. A healthy person from my perspective is one who can adapt and overcome the overwhelming issues life has to offer especially in our health care system which is almost unbearable to obtain because of the high cost. Unlike Japan, everyone gets health

Healthcare is the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of illnesses, diseases, and injuries. It a very important part of everyone 's lives, no matter where they live. Every country has their own type of healthcare that helps take care of the cost of medical attention. There are four models of healthcare systems that every country generally follows. Much government makes changes to the models in order to better accommodate their needs. There are many components and plans in healthcare systems that allow the systems to operate the way they do. The United States and France are two examples of countries with very different

In 2014, the U.S. health care spending increased 5.3% to $3.0 trillion, or $9,523 per person, a faster increase than the 2.9% in 2013. The spending increased due to extensive coverage expansions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2014b). In 2014, Medicare spending grew 5.5% to $618.7 billion and represented 20% of the national health expenditure, a faster increase than the 3% growth in 2013. The spending increased due to prescription drugs, physician and clinical services, government administration, and insurance (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2014b). In 2014, Medicaid spending grew 11% to $495.8 billion and represented 16% of the national health expenditures, a faster increase

“Universal healthcare" or "universal coverage" refers to a scenario where everyone is covered for basic healthcare services, and no one is denied care as long as they are legal residents in the geography covered. Countries that have universal health care coverage are United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, Switzerland and Taiwan. Although all five countries that was discussed in the video “Sick Around the World”, have universal healthcare coverage, each health care policy are uniquely designed to meet the needs of the people.

Japan has had a relatively inexpensive universal health insurance system for more than 50 years. Germany made health insurance mandatory for its entire population in 2009. Chile has given all Chileans access to a basic health care package since 2005.

The United States’ approach to health care policy is an anomaly among industrialized nations. Disagreement about what the federal government’s role in health care ought to be, combined with the structure of lawmaking institutions, have yielded generations of improvised policies and programs that intend to mollify individual issues created by the health care system rather than comprehensively addressing its flaws.

Despite the documented challenges that the U.S. health care system faces, it also enjoys a number of advantages over other systems around the world.

Countries that have universal health plans, like Japan and Germany, have better life expectancy rates, spend less on health care, and have more than double the number of its citizens insured (Stephens & Ledlow, 2010). While the debate over