Switzerland is best known for its chocolate, cheese and its Alps. However, its also known for its amazing and universal healthcare. So what makes Switzerland’s healthcare so efficient? This research paper will examine certain factors that contribute to the overall successes of the Switzerland healthcare system such as out-of-pocket expenses, health statistics, the organization of healthcare, the distribution of responsibility between the federal and local governments and the income tax structure. By analyzing these elements, the strengths can be appreciated and new ideas can be formed to fix the current flaws present in the system. No healthcare system in the world is perfect; however, it can be improved by cooperation and understanding …show more content…
Therefore, the government plays a significant role in the socialized healthcare system. The system's responsibilities are divided between federal, cantonal and municipal government levels. The 26 cantons and 6 half-cantons, which are like states, are responsible for the healthcare present in each canton. It licenses providers, arranges and manages hospital services and subsidized institutions and individual premiums. The federal government regulates the overall payments and finances, ensures the safety and quality of medical equipment and pharmaceutical drugs, supervise public health initiatives and supports medical research and training. The municipalities are responsible for nursing homes and social support for susceptible groups (Commonwealth Fund). Although the entire population, which was 8.42 million as of January 1st 2017, is covered, all citizens have to pay some out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare treatments and provisions. Patients have to pay 10% of the total medical bill. According to World Bank, 26.8% was the out-of-pocket health expenditure (% of total expenditure on health) as of 2014 (World Bank). No free treatment exists and the fees are very high. All patients who are citizens must an excess fee that exists between 184 EUR (219.47 USD) to 1,350 EUR (1610.21 USD). In addition to this payment, they also have to pay 10 percent of the overall medical cost. Only pregnant women are excused from this fee. Patients also have to
In 2010, the United States created The Affordable Care Act (ACA). The objective was to share the responsibility of costs between the government, individuals, and employers to provide affordable access to quality health insurance. “However, health coverage remains fragmented, with numerous private and public sources, as well as wide gaps in insured rates across the U.S. population.” (“United States: International Health Care System Profiles,” n.d.). Each individual state within the US, generally has control over private insurance.
During the past few decades in the United States, health care cost has been skyrocketing, and many people have lost their insurance as result of the high cost. Approximately 45 million American s are uninsured or they don’t have a real health care plan that can cover all their needs. Some Americans have the perception that even with coverage, cost and other problems in the system, the quality of the Healthcare System in the US is better than other countries in the world, something that it is not true. As a matter of fact the United States is one of the richest, industrialized countries in the world where it spends a lot of money in its healthcare system. Spending more money in the Healthcare system does not mean it will be a better system, nor it does not mean it could not improve in some areas. In contrast, the Federal Republic of Germany where its healthcare system is completely different from the United States.
My paper is comparing the healthcare system in France to the healthcare system we have in the United States. We need to look at France’s healthcare and other countries with universal healthcare and ask ourselves “Is it sustainable?” Is it feasible?” “Will it provide for those who don’t have insurance and help those that do?” The results show universal healthcare is usable, but there have to be guidelines, who it covers, what it covers, and what improvements need to be made to make it work. When other countries have been using universal healthcare for 60 + years, it shows there is hope for it in this country too. Healthcare is a growing problem, but it might become more of one if taxes are raised to cover the cost. France’s NHS
Furthermore, the United States spends nearly double the average $3,923 for the 15 countries ("Health Care Cost," 2011).” Accordingly the U.S. throws away more money than any other country on healthcare which consequently could jeopardize the medical attention that is being provided.
The cost of care has been a growing problem throughout developed nations during the last 15 years. For example, across 34 nations that make up the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the average per capita health care expenditure increased by more than 70 percent between 2000 and 2010. However, the biggest spenders — such as
This paper presents a comparison of the health care systems in the United States and the Netherlands. The health care systems in the United States and the Netherlands are both a work in progress. This paper compares the many common strengths and weaknesses between these two countries health care systems using recent data and current trends. The government of the Netherlands has been working towards providing universal health coverage for their citizens since World War II. The government of the United States is divided on the necessity of providing universal health coverage for its citizens; however, it appears to be moving in this direction. The United States approximately 70 years behind the Netherlands on the health care front. Comparing the similarities and differences in the health care systems of the United States and the Netherlands gives a lot of insight into policy changes and reform that could benefit the United States. The continually improving health care system in the Netherlands may be the best model for the United States as it moves towards a Universal Health Care system.
In the video Sick Around the World, Frontline travel to Britain, Japan, Germany, Taiwan, and Switzerland to investigate their health care system. In Britain, there is no insurance premium or no copayments and the system covers everybody. In Japan, everybody has to sign up for a health
In terms of state health agency structure and governance, approximately thirty percent of the state have a centralized governance organization, thus local health units are mainly led by employees of the state. Ten percent of the state have a joint governance structure so local health divisions is controlled by state employees of the local government or state. If state employees are in control, local government has the authority to make financial decisions or issue municipal health instructions; if local employees are in control the state stays in control. On the other hand, more than half of the state have a decentralized structure, therefore local units are mainly controlled by workers of local governments. Ten percent of the state have
To show how Bismarck is a 'mixed ' model, and how they differ from the United States, in ways of funding, such as funding through a premium financed social insurance system with a mixture of public and private providers (Joffe & Wiedmann, 1999). Overall the author’s purpose of this article is to point out the differences between the United States Health care system and other nations.
The economics of healthcare is not at all simple. What you put in is certainly not necessarily indicative of what you get out, as shown by the striking discrepancy between what we pay and what we get out of our healthcare system. This is demonstrated further by comparing our system to those of France and Italy, who come in first and second, respectively, in WHO’s international ranking of healthcare systems (“World Health Organization’s Ranking of the World’s Health Systems”). Counter to what many Americans may believe, a number of European nations do not have completely socialized medicine.
The fifth country that was visited was Switzerland. Switzerland spends 11.6% of its GDP on healthcare. Citizens pay $750 a month for premiums. If you are too poor to pay for your premiums, the government will pay. Citizens pay 10% of the cost of services for a co-pay. Switzerland also used the “social insurance” model. 95% of the population already had voluntary insurance when they country switched systems. All citizens are required to have coverage. Switzerland shows that in a high capitalist nation with powerful insurance and pharmaceutical industries, universal coverage is possible. Insurance companies are not allowed to make a profit off of basic care and are not able to select only young and healthy applicants. The government sets the prices on drugs, but the insurers and providers negotiate on all other prices. Switzerland has the second most expensive system behind the U.S. The Swiss do not have gatekeepers, some insurance plans may require them or may give a discount for using them.
One of the most controversial topics, not just in the United States but all around the world, is the topic of healthcare. How much should the government contribute? Should healthcare be free and open to all? In his book, The healing of America, T.R. Reid goes on a quest in the hopes of finding a solution to his injured shoulder. Reid travels the world hearing all the different perspectives the doctors have concerning his shoulder. The main goal is to find the best healthcare system in the world by observing countries similar to the United States and ranking how their healthcare system ranks and differs to the United States.
In recent years, health care has been a huge topic in public debates, legislations, and even in deciding who will become the next president. There have been many acts, legislations, and debates on what the country has to do in regards to health care. According to University of Phoenix Read Me First HCS/235 (n.d.), “How health care is financed influences access to health care, how health care is delivered, the quality of health care provided, and its cost”.
Many view France’s healthcare system as ideal. This opinion was validated when the World Health Organization ranked it number one in overall healthcare (WHO 2000). Their structure is a multi-payer system which has both public and private sections. It is more
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).