U.S. HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEMS The U.S. health care system ✓ Solved

The U.S. health care system is unique in comparison to health care systems in other industrialized countries. According to the Commonwealth Fund Analysis (2017), the U.S. ranks 11th in overall ranking of health care system performance. Identify and select 5 of the following countries to research: Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom. In a 13- to 15-slide PowerPoint (PPT) presentation: a. Compare and contrast the selected country’s health care delivery systems to the U.S. b. Based on your research, provide 2-3 recommendations the U.S. should adopt to improve health care delivery. Speaker’s notes are required for each slide. Much of the information presented on the slides should be concise and explained in detail through your speaker notes.

Conduct additional research to gather sufficient information to support your design of your PPT. Limit your total PPT to a maximum of 15 slides, not including your title or reference slide. Support your report with peer-reviewed articles, with at least 3 references.

Paper For Above Instructions

The U.S. health care system is recognized for its distinct characteristics, which differentiate it from those of other developed countries. This paper aims to analyze the health care systems of five selected countries: Canada, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The focus will be on comparing and contrasting their health care delivery systems with that of the U.S. Furthermore, based on this analysis, several recommendations will be considered for enhancing the U.S. health care delivery system.

Health Care Delivery in Selected Countries

1. Canada: Canada's health care system operates under the principle of universality, providing medical services to all citizens regardless of income. Funded through taxes, the system allows patients to access services without direct charges at the point of care (Marchildon, 2013). In contrast, the U.S. predominantly relies on a mixed system with private insurance being a significant aspect, leading to disparities in access and quality of care.

2. Germany: The German health care system is characterized by a dual public-private model. It combines statutory health insurance, which includes a vast majority of the population, with private health insurance options for those with higher incomes. This system promotes competition among providers, which fosters innovation and efficiency (Busse & Blümel, 2014). The U.S. system also includes private insurance but does not ensure universal coverage, resulting in millions of uninsured individuals.

3. France: France boasts one of the highest-rated health care systems worldwide, focusing on socialized medicine where the government plays a significant role in funding and regulating services. Most French citizens can receive health care without out-of-pocket expenses (OECD, 2020). The U.S. model, emphasizing private sector solutions, often results in higher costs and unequal access to services.

4. The Netherlands: The Dutch health care model features a mandatory insurance system where everyone must obtain basic insurance through private insurers, with the government regulating prices and services to ensure affordability and quality (Schut & van der Gronden, 2016). This is quite different from the U.S., where health insurance is often tied to employment and can lead to variability in coverage.

5. United Kingdom: The UK's National Health Service (NHS) provides comprehensive health care that is free at the point of use and funded primarily through taxation. This uniformity in access promotes health equity among citizens (Naylor et al., 2016). The U.S. system's fragmentation leads to inconsistencies in the types and quality of care available to different segments of the population.

Comparative Analysis

When comparing these five countries to the U.S., several trends emerge:

  • Universal Coverage: Countries like Canada, France, and the UK provide universal health coverage, resulting in better health outcomes and lower overall costs. In contrast, the U.S. grapples with significant uninsured rates and health disparities.

  • Cost Efficiency: The administrative costs associated with the U.S. health system are substantially higher than in the examined countries, where streamlined operations lead to better use of resources (Squires & Anderson, 2015).

  • Access to Care: Access to care varies significantly in the U.S. based on insurance coverage, while the selected countries prioritize equitable access as a fundamental right.

Recommendations for Improvement

Based on the comparative analysis, the following recommendations could enhance the U.S. health care delivery system:

  1. Adopt a Universal Health Care Model: Implement a system that guarantees coverage for every citizen to minimize disparities and improve health outcomes, similar to the models in the UK and Canada.

  2. Increase Government Regulation: Strengthening the regulatory frameworks around health care providers and insurers can improve efficiency and control costs, similar to the systems in Germany and the Netherlands.

  3. Foster Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage collaborative efforts between the government and private entities to innovate care delivery while maintaining high standards of accessibility and quality, leveraging the strengths of both sectors.

In conclusion, the U.S. health care system, while advanced in many ways, faces significant challenges that can be addressed through the adoption of successful elements from other countries. By striving toward universal coverage, promising regulation of the health care market, and fostering collaboration between public and private sectors, the U.S. can progress toward a more efficient and equitable health care delivery system.

References

  • Busse, R., & Blümel, M. (2014). Germany: Health system review. Health Systems in Transition, 16(2), 1-296.

  • Marchildon, G. P. (2013). Canada: Health system review. Health Systems in Transition, 15(1), 1-179.

  • Naylor, C. D., et al. (2016). The NHS five year forward view: A roadmap for future. The King's Fund.

  • OECD. (2020). Health at a glance: Europe 2020. OECD Publishing.

  • Schut, F. T., & van der Gronden, J. M. (2016). The Dutch health care system: A model for reforming health care in the U.S.? Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law, 41(4), 631-654.

  • Squires, D., & Anderson, C. (2015). U.S. health care from a global perspective: Spending, usage, prices, and health in 13 countries. The Commonwealth Fund.