The things you should know about France Healthcare System are unveiled in this piece of write up
The French healthcare system is one of the most recognized healthcare systems globally in offering the best services to people. It provides a universal cover that virtually all residents in France keenly support.
Introduction to France’s Healthcare System
With the highly integrated network of public hospitals, doctors, and public healthcare facilities, the system is able to deliver top-notch services to people timely.
The system doesn’t discriminate with the class of people to offer the services to as all citizens, irrespective of age, wealth, and status, have access to this premium healthcare.
As a resident in France, you are covered via the mandatory health insurance contributions in the nation.
There’s optional private insurance available for anyone who wants some extra coverage. You don’t have to worry as the French Government covers well above 75% of the total health expenditure in the country.
In France, the responsibility of administrating public healthcare rests on the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, while different healthcare providers in the country handle primary and secondary healthcare services.
Are you looking for a country that focuses more on preventative healthcare services? France is that country you can always rest assured of. It offers regular medical checkups, addiction prevention, promotion of physical activity, and healthy consumption.
Who can have access to healthcare services in France?
If you are a resident of France, you can access healthcare services through French insurance contributions. But if you are a foreigner in the country, there’s a new healthcare system for you: the Protection Universelle Maladie (PUMA).
This special system enables you to access state healthcare after three years of staying in the country.
Legally, every resident needs to have some level of coverage for healthcare access, be it the state or private. In a situation where your income falls below a certain threshold, you may still be eligible for free commentary health insurance coverage.
If you are waiting for your legal residence to be finalized, you may still qualify for the State Medical Assistance. Also, if you are from EU/EEA/Switzerland, you can as well make use of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in place of any coverage in France.
Similarly, any retirees from the EU/EEA/ Switzerland relocating to France can access healthcare services by filling the social security form in their home country.
Healthcare Costs in France
Like many countries across the world, the French healthcare system is funded partially by obligatory social security contributions as stated earlier.
The money is deducted from peoples’ salary with employers paying around 13% of the salary while the employees are paying an approximately 8%.
Furthermore, the French Government also handles some aspects of the costs while the patients also require a smaller fragment of the cost in contribution to their healthcare costs.
The nation’s state health insurance takes up 70 – 100% of the costs for services, including doctor visits and hospital costs.
There’s 100% coverage for seeing a doctor or accessing healthcare services in any hospital in France for long-term sick patients. Interestingly, there’s no upfront demand from any healthcare personnel for accessing these services.
According to a recent report, France is one of the highest spenders on healthcare within the EU regarding percentage.
The country spends around 11.5% of GDP on healthcare provisions, thus coming holding a second position while Switzerland takes the first position (12.3%).
Public health insurance in France
France is one of the few countries that operate a co-payment system for public healthcare services. The state health insurance takes up the majority of the costs. However, the reimbursement of the money is dependent on the service offerings.
When you visit a doctor as a French resident, dentist, or any medical specialist, the coverage is 70%.
In comparison, the money reimburses for visiting a hospital when ill is around 80% of the total costs. For prescribed medications, you should expect the coverage to be 100%.
With the availability of a health card, you won’t be required to make any upfront payment. But if you don’t have one, you will have to make an upfront payment towards the medical fees at the point of service. Then the reimbursement will come in between five to 10 days after.
Pros of the French Healthcare System
The French healthcare system is very swift in terms of delivery. You won’t face the headache of waiting before you see a doctor or get treatments for a long time.
It is accessible to all residents of France, even if you are not a national of the country.
The system offers premium healthcare services, and it’s very affordable.
The healthcare services are available to you as an ex-pat once you’ve spent a period of three months or less in the country.
It doesn’t joke with preventive care as it is available for all residents of the country, which includes free checkups once every two years.
You don’t need a referral to see a specialist in France.
Cons of French Healthcare System
The nationals and those working in France have to pay a considerable amount in taxes to ensure they keep access to the universal healthcare system.
You won’t have access to public healthcare services during the first three months of your resident in the country. This means you will have to take out private health insurance during this time.
Closing thoughts on France Healthcare System
France’s healthcare system has continued to make marks in the lives of the people in the country as it offers premium healthcare services that stand shoulder to shoulder with any outstanding provisions across the world.
With taxes paid by people, the Government spends a decent amount of money on its mandatory healthcare services.
If you are a new resident of France or planning to move to the country, rest assured you won’t be breaking the bank to have access to top-notch healthcare services as the French Government is subsidizing the costs.
Croatia healthcare system is one of the very few systems that revolve around the principles of solidarity and reciprocity.
What this means is that, as a citizen of the country, everyone is expected to contribute to the best of their ability in paying for and receiving basic health insurance.
Introduction to Croatia Healthcare System
The universal healthcare system of Croatia is such that all citizens have access to public insurance, which enables them to have decent access to healthcare in form of “obvezno.” Though there are major cities that have better access to healthcare facilities in Croatia compared to remote areas where health services are less, but still acceptable.
One of the major challenges of Croatia’s health system is the rising costs of healthcare, especially on the aspect of expenditure on drugs. Also, there’s a lack of budget funds for the system to cushion this effect, which has affected the supply of drugs in the country.
Medications in Croatia
In Croatia, pharmacy is in every town, and prescriptions for medications must always be gotten from the medical doctor. This means it’s pertinent to consult a doctor before going to a pharmacy for drugs.
If it happens you’re traveling with medications, it’s very important you check with the Ministry of Health for details on medication allowances and restrictions.
Another interesting thing about the Croatia health system is that every working member of a family continues to pay a certain amount of money as a contribution to the healthcare delivery, which makes it possible for other members of the family to access it.
Also, the self-employing members of the population also pay health care contributions.
Croatia Health Insurance
The health insurance in Croatia is all-inclusive as it applies to every single person in the country; be it the students, temporary residents, citizens, and whatnot.
Once you’re a resident of Croatia, there are no cut corners about it as you need to sign up for health insurance well before making the residence permit applications.
It’s crucial every resident of Croatia must obtain insurance through the office of HZZO (the Croatia Institute Insurance) to meet the nation’s insurance policy requirements.
To successfully navigate through the health insurance requirements in the country, reach out to renowned insurance professionals.
Pros of Croatia Healthcare System
Here are some of the benefits of Croatia healthcare system:
Croatia provides premium healthcare to citizens and long-term visitors
One thing about the Croatian healthcare system is that the state is in charge of proving access to healthcare. This is done by mandating every citizen to pay into the HZZO, which is a country-wide health insurance system.
To fund the healthcare system in Croatia, there are two forms of funding, which take care of general healthcare.
Payments to HZZO are determined by calculating the yearly income of every working member of a family. The money is then paid monthly by an individual or the family through the employer as the case may be.
It’s available to all people
You sure don’t need to panic about the accessibility of Croatia’s healthcare delivery as it is available to all and sundry.
Residents cover mandatory health insurance and there are options to get supplemental health insurance for extra service.
It’s important to note that there are linkages between private healthcare and established medical facilities.
Another good thing is that issues with lack of insurance aren’t common because the state takes care of the less-privileged and makes them access healthcare.
Croatia’s healthcare is cheap and of quality
The provisions and supports by the Croatian Government make it possible that there is high-quality healthcare in the country with low fees.
These days, many foreigners are now attracted to the country in terms of making it their abode and where to seek medical treatments for their various conditions, all thanks to the lower healthcare services the nation offers.
There has been a report that indicates that medical care is 70% less in terms of cost compared to other developed nations of the world.
Croatia Healthcare System consists of polyclinics
The healthcare system in Croatia competes shoulder to shoulder with the other health systems around the world.
This is in accordance with the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT).
It operates state-of-the-art medical research
There have been a lot of remarkable advances in the Croatian health system shown in the past years. Drugs such as Azithromycin and its likes are some of the drugs developed by the pharmaceutical industry.
Very recently, the University Hospital Center Zagreb has developed a new incision-less Gamma Knife for radiation therapy on brain aberrations such as tumors, which makes it possible to target the tumor safely compared to the traditional surgery.
Also, there are a ton of new technologies in dentistry developed in recent times. The truth is, contributing to the national healthcare system has many benefits.
Citizens pay their ability and receive commendable levels of care based on special needs.
The nation’s healthcare system provides a form of mandatory insurance for all workers and craftsmen in the industrial sectors.
How is the emergency medical service organized in Croatia?
Developed in 2009, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Investment Planning Project started by providing Croatians with more accessible and effective emergency medical services.
The EMS in the nation has been well organized to model the collaborative and single system of pre-hospital and the hospital EMS and the Croatian Institute of Emergency Medicine.
Final thought
We are confident we have gotten the essential information you need about the healthcare system in Croatia.
However, do not hesitate to drop your observation as your opinion would definitely count, or drop further questions if any in the comment box below.
The US healthcare system is a complex one indeed, however, we will make it as comprehensible as possible.
Healthcare facilities are mostly operated by private-sector businesses. About 58% of community hospitals in the United States are non-profit, 21% are government-owned, and 21% are for-profit.
Furthermore, healthcare coverage is provided through a combination of private health insurance and public health coverage as will be explained later in this article.
Introduction to the US healthcare system
The United States does not have a universal healthcare program, unlike most other advanced nations in the world.
U.S. Healthcare System at a Glance
Premium medical care
No universal healthcare
Healthcare is expensive
Availability of insurance
Adequate resources
The United States healthcare system is arguably the most complex of all health systems globally, and this has slowed down the sector’s development over the years. The enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 marked the most critical shift in U.S. healthcare service.
To address the fragmentation of the sector, there’s a need for a comprehensive reform, which the Government isn’t ready for at the moment.
Healthcare relies on a more direct-free system, unlike the many Western countries that operate national models of health insurance. Those living in America have private health insurance plans.
If you’re accessing healthcare in America, you must be prepared beforehand to pay for any medical fees the insurance doesn’t cover. This is one of the reasons behind the continued discussion about healthcare reformation in the States. Citizens continue to demand universal health care.
US healthcare system pros and cons
Below, we will look at some of the advantages and challenges of this healthcare system which looks controversial when debated;
Pros of U.S. Healthcare System
Here are some of the benefits of the U.S. healthcare system:
Premium Medical Care
If you’ve got the money to pay for a premium health insurance package in America, trust me, you’d appreciate every bit of your visitation at any America’s hospital.
Hospitals offer one of the best services in terms of medical treatment. The facilities are always top-notch with state-of-the-art equipment that simplifies doctors’ work.
Healthcare costs vary based on your age and the state you live in. This year, the average cost of a monthly health insurance premium in the U.S. is about $495 per month.
The average annual deductible is $5,940. In some places, the cost varies greatly from the national average.
Age is another determining factor when it comes to the costs of health insurance. Take a look at this breakdown by age for the average monthly healthcare premium without subsidies.
The doctors are always experts with a ton of experience practicing in renowned medical centers around the world.
These professionals are always ready to work with the patients and their families to ensure optimal healthcare delivery.
Yes, the costs of accessing medical care is on the high side in the States, but this has made it possible for the clinics to have specialized machines that can always make the difference.
For instance, conditions such as Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction can be treated in hospitals in the U.S., provided you’re ready to spend the money.
Availability of Different Medicare Options
One of the good things about the U.S. healthcare system is the ability to choose any medication option that best describes your needs.
There are medical advantages plans for people who want to travel abroad or require extra benefits like prescription coverage.
Note that if you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. The coverage will continue being billed directly through Medicare.
Medicare Advantage Plans are another way to get your Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are offered by Medicare-approved private companies that must follow rules set by Medicare.
Most Medicare Advantage Plans include drug coverage (Part D). In most cases, you’ll need to use healthcare providers who participate in the plan’s network. These plans set a limit on what you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket each year for covered services.
Some plans offer non-emergency coverage out of network, but typically at a higher cost. Remember, you must use the card from your Medicare Advantage Plan to get your Medicare-covered services.
Reduced Waiting Lists for Major Procedures
Don’t worry U.S. healthcare system won’t make you wait several hours just to see a surgeon or a specialist attend to your needs. A recent study shows that 23% wait longer before they finally get to see an expert.
If you are accessing America’s healthcare system, the process is quite simple, and within a couple of hours, you’ll see a doctor who will take care of all your needs compared to some other countries where you will spend several weeks to achieve this.
Sufficient Resources
You can take solace in the fact that the U.S. healthcare system has the facilities that make the work easier and more efficient. Unlike in some countries where you’ll have to contend with their old facilities and all, the level of investment in facilities in the U.S. is remarkable and laudable.
If you are a patient with health insurance, the Government has got you covered as you can easily access premium healthcare services at any point and anywhere.
Cons of U.S. Healthcare System
Here are a few of the U.S. healthcare system’s challenges:
Expensive Services
The most prominent reason why many people complain about America’s healthcare system is its expensive nature.
If you are yet to get insurance or you are currently underinsured, you’ll have to pay fees from your pocket to sort your healthcare service. Don’t be surprised that people with no insurance will have access to reduced services.
Though this situation of things in the U.S. medical space in the U.S. is medical debt as it is one of the major factors to bankruptcy. It’s important to also note that the standard Medicare coverage many people always jump on isn’t going to sort every treatment and procedure.
Price Transparency
One of the common diseases in the U.S. today with regard to medical services is price transparency. It’s not easy for people to shop around to know their best budget.
There’s a need for an improved healthcare system, which can be brought about by price transparency for medical services.
Many people don’t know the cost of visiting a hospital, so there’s a need to do due diligence on how much the hospitals collect to perform these surgical operations.
Interestingly, just 12% of Americans oppose price transparency. But the hospitals have said prices aren’t always revealed because of the ability to offer discounts to insurance policies.
Limited Insurance Coverage
Many people in the U.S. today get insurance through their employers. What this means is that if the individual loses his job, the coverage automatically goes out of the window. This is the case because a person without a job cannot continue to pay for insurance.
Final thoughts
The U.S. healthcare system is currently struggling and needs reformation sooner or later. Despite some of the challenges the system is still faced with, there are many benefits of the system, such as the availability of innovative equipment and medical experts to conduct surgical procedures.
Trust me; America is where effective treatments can be made available to the rarest of any diseases be it cystic fibrosis, meige syndrome, or Temporomandibular disorders.
It’s saddening that some people who will be underinsured or those who don’t have insurance can’t receive treatment for most medical conditions. Money shouldn’t be the deciding factor regarding access to quality healthcare and hopefully, this is going to be solved soonest.
Germany Healthcare System at a Glance. The essential things everyone ought to know
Solidarity
Transparency and efficiency
Instant treatment access by beneficiaries
Financing from employers and employees
Liberty to choose from different hospitals and private providers
Introduction to the German Healthcare system
One of the oldest healthcare systems around the world is the German Healthcare System which dates back to as far as1880s.
Despite the long-standing system in the medical world, today, it’s still one of the best healthcare out there, all thanks to the nation’s level of investments in specialists and facilities.
Funded by statutory contributions, the German health protection system ensures free health maintenance for all.
The system gives a ton of choices to the people in terms of treatments. This is one of the major reasons why the country was ranked 12th on the 2018 Euro Health Consumer Index.
German’s Healthcare Accessibility
If you are a resident of Germany, then you’re qualified to access health maintenance through health insurance in the country. As for the non-resident, there’s a need to have private coverage to access this health protection service.
If you’re just a temporary visitor in Germany, there’s no problem as all you need to do is pay for the treatment, and then claim the reimbursement later.
Are you coming from the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland and staying only in the nation for some time?
Then you may use the EHIC card. However, the moment you turn into an official resident, it’s compulsory to take out German health insurance.
Health Insurance in Germany
An employee who earns not more than €57,600 in a calendar year needs to take part in the government health scheme known as the Gesetzliche Krankenversicherun (GKV).
The sooner you take out the health insurance once you’ve completed the modalities of your new work, the better.
You should know about GKV because it is administered around 110 Krankenkassen, which needs to be charged the same rate of 14.6% of the eligible gross salary.
This amount is divided between you and your employer, and you must ensure you stay at least 18 months with a Krankenkasse. When the time is up, you can switch to another government scheme.
Another thing about the GKV is that you can only pay the contributions if you earn more than €850 per month.
This amount takes care of your primary care with the registered doctors and hospital treatments. It also covers basic dental treatment as you don’t have to pay any amount to get your teeth checked and treated.
What the GKV doesn’t cover is your consultations with private medical personnel and private rooms in hospitals. Furthermore, if you want special services such as complementary treatments, dental implants, and glasses for adults, the scheme doesn’t cover that; you’ve to make provisions for that separately.
Important Things to Know about Germany Hospitals and Doctors
Here are a few things you need to know about hospitals and doctors in Germany:
Premium Healthcare
One of the things that have outlived the German healthcare system is the quality of the service delivery.
The system emphasizes the quality of the health protection it offers people, and that has stood the test of time. So, it’s right to state that patients are always at safer hands once they step into any German hospital.
Honesty
You get to experience the real definition of honesty when you visit any German hospital due to the country’s strict laws against corruption.
If you are a patient in any clinic in Germany, rest assured you’re going to be treated with so much transparency, respect, and honesty.
It’s important to also note that the doctors will not lie about the situation of things with the patients; if you have a major health challenge, they come open right off the bat without hiding any details.
So it’s important the family members always discuss beforehand with the medical personnel on duty if there’s a need not to reveal the results of the diagnosis to the patients due to depression or overreacting as these doctors are trained to always hit the nail of the head.
Unlimited Questions
Another important thing to know about the healthcare system in Germany is that the doctors are legally allowed to explain every bit of detail to the patients about the treatments they are to receive.
This point corroborates the last one, and so, the patients are always required to sign a consent form before any medical procedure is carried out.
The medical team will have the opportunity to ask your series of questions. Though this may seem overwhelming for some patients, it’s one the best things the doctors know for as it’s required to establish facts before any treatments are recommended.
Efficiency
The efficiency with which every sector of Germany handles things also applies to the healthcare sector. It’s pretty efficient and has been recognized throughout the world.
The idea and goal of every clinic in the nation is to offer timely health protection support in terms of diagnosis and treatments to ensure patients go home as soon as possible.
The idea is to save patients money, and unnecessary time they might have to use when still at the hospital. Hence, the doctors handle patients very timely and efficiently to ensure this is the case.
Germany’s healthcare system is one of the best globally, and this reputation has never for once declined due to the level of investment the government continues to make to ensure its sustainability.
The health treatment system provides a ton of choices for patients, extensive coverage, coupled with efficient medical care.
What are your thoughts about the German healthcare System? Kindly share them in the comment section below!
Conclusion on the German healthcare system
I am confident you now know about Germany’s healthcare system. Germany operates a universal multi-payer health care system that encompasses both statutory health insurance as well as private health insurance for those who earn more and choose to purchase their own as explained earlier.
Amidst the positive remarks about the healthcare system in Germany, there are also different challenges in the healthcare system that need improvement.
We are open to recommendations, commendations, and suggestions. kindly air your view in the comment box below.
The Singapore healthcare system pros and cons are made simple in this piece of write-up.
Singapore healthcare is an outstanding one in Asia and the globe at large, however, with many benefits accruing from this system, there are equally many challenges the healthcare system faces.
On a general note, the public utilizes both private and public healthcare however, there is a preference for private over public because of convenience and time.
However, when it comes to complicated healthcare issues, people prefer to make use of the public over private healthcare due to the belief that public healthcare facilities are more equipped or sophisticated compared to private healthcare facilities.
Introduction to Singapore healthcare system pros and cons
Over the years, Singapore’s healthcare system has remained a benchmark for many nations as such is rated among the best health care system in the world.
The specific features of the Singapore healthcare system are unique and have been described as a very difficult system to replicate elsewhere.
Amidst these credits, there are also many that are not satisfied with the system thus the essence of this topic is to clarify this curiosity on the Singapore healthcare pros and cons.
The Singaporean healthcare system has a strong ground in preventive medicine and health and that gives a better edge in having an effective and efficient healthcare system.
The Singaporean healthcare system is supervised by the Ministry of Health of the Singapore Government. It largely consists of a government-run publicly funded universal healthcare system which is delivered through various schemes.
About 2 decades ago, Singapore was ranked by the WHO as the 6th of the world health care systems. In 2017, the Bloomberg Global Health Index ranked Singapore as number 4 in the world.
Singapore healthcare system pros and cons
Below we will be looking at some of the Singapore healthcare pros and cons which are essential for everyone to know; but first and foremost, let’s consider the pros which are the reasons why the healthcare system keeps soaring.
Singapore healthcare system pros and cons THE PROS
The pros of this health care system are the good points and the advantages which are not limited to the ones listed below;
Low cost of medications
Technologically driven health facilities
The public-private balance
Good regulatory governance
Good information sharing
Relatively cheaper healthcare system
Functional insurance schemes
Free Home hospice services
Low cost of medications
When one talks about Singapore’s health care system, one of the things that comes to mind is the low cost of drugs/medication.
The big question now is, how do they manage to bring the cost of their medications that low? Most of the drugs in circulation in Singapore are manufactured in neighboring countries like Malaysia.
The ease in shipping and proximity alongside effective government policies facilitate the low cost of medication in Singapore as such people pride in their health system.
Technologically driven health facilities
The globe advances with the advancement in technology. Having a health institution that is not technologically innovated is a decay to the health system.
Singaporeans strive to make sure their health facilities are modern and updated for efficiency in healthcare service delivery. These technologically driven facilities are pros in the Singapore health care system.
The public-private balance
Singapore’s universal health coverage system is largely overseen by the government’s Ministry of Health but also includes maximum support from citizens and the private sector. Also, the government weighs its citizens’ values as a social determinant of health.
Good regulatory governance
Through welcoming government policies, there is an encouragement of free-market competition and choice, the government makes substantial targeted investments in areas where market failures would make healthcare costs unaffordable.
This approach is among the pros of the Singapore healthcare system, it also controls the dominant public hospitals and supply of doctors.
Good information sharing
In this blog post on Singapore’s health care pros and cons, one of the advantages of this health care system is that everything you need to know about the system is made clear.
And clever communication relationship that encourages output is created in the system as such this is a proper engagement in different health sectors.
Relatively cheaper healthcare system
Singapore is famous for its exemplary health care standard. It is positioned amongst the best systems in Asia and the globe at large.
The government of Singapore ensures that medical care is accessible and available to everyone. However, it is essential to note this about Singapore’s national health scheme.
No medical service is provided free of charge, regardless of the level of subsidy, even within the public healthcare system.
To promote competition, the Singapore health Ministry publishes the costs of procedures at every hospital as such helping to curb overpricing amongst that is the effective national price controls and top-down management.
The government sets limits on bills paid under Medisave or Medishield, as well as the number and kind of services you can receive. For instance, advanced diagnostic tests require a wait if you expect to pay for them through Medisave or Medishield.
Although through relevant policies and approaches put in place, the healthcare services are cheaper compared to most nations of the world.
Functional insurance schemes
The government adopts a diversified but integrated process that involves Individual saving plans for acute medical care consumption, and a defined coverage for medical insurance.
Singaporeans are automatically enrolled in Medishield, a low-cost insurance program for major or prolonged illnesses that their Medisave balance won’t cover. Medishield has a deductible and copayments along with government-defined benefits.
If you can’t cover your costs through Medisave and Medishield, the government steps in to cover doctors’ bills for chronic or acute conditions and some dental work. There are special funds to cover needy children and prenatal care.
Free Home hospice services
Home hospice services are free and there are subsidized options for home nursing and long-term care for seniors. If you can’t afford the cost, you may get subsidized care in a private nursing home.
Singapore healthcare system pros and cons THE CONS
Let’s take a look at some of the cons that come with the Singapore health care system. There is a saying that everything that has advantages has disadvantages also, however, this is no exemption from the healthcare system of Singapore.
Amidst the pros of the Singaporean health care system, there are also these challenges as stated below;
Low labor costs
Heavy dependence on institutions
Expensive Long-Term Care Costs
Long Waiting Hours in Hospital
Low labor costs
Among the cons of the Singapore health care system is that the medical staff are among the overworked medical staff worldwide, and receive in general less than half the pay of US medical staff.
It is important to note that the working hour restriction DOES NOT apply to healthcare workers. I would say, most health workers work an average of 60-90 hours weekly.
Heavy dependence on institutions
Singapore’s healthcare system relies heavily on institutions that were the most effective method of tackling healthcare issues in the past.
That is so because they focus mostly on preventive medicine and centralization which was key in treating patients with acute diseases like smallpox and tuberculosis.
This approach is currently a move in the wrong direction and is considered among the cons of the Singapore health care system because the ranging diseases that are threats to the health care system currently are chronic diseases which may include but are not limited to diseases like liver failure, diabetes, and cardiac ailments.
Expensive Long-Term Care Costs
It is very common for the aged to suffer from dementia or other neurological conditions; however, long-term care is expensive despite subsidies.
Caring for older people is very demanding and costly even in nursing homes. Lack of Long-Term Ageing Alternatives.
Usually, the first point of healthcare is the institutions, whether it is the clinics or hospitals and for long-term care, patients’ options are also limited to institutions like a community hospital or a nursing home.
Long Waiting Hours in Hospitals
This is among the cons of a universal health care system generally. There is always the tendency of people to wait in the queue for a longer period of time most especially in public hospitals because one would have access to the doctors.
This is usually tiring and considered among the cons of the Singapore healthcare system.
Conclusion on Singapore healthcare system pros and cons
There is no doubt, that this is a benchmark for many and as such stands out among the best in Asia and the globe at large.
However, they strive toward being better and there are many things to be reconsidered. Amidst the commendation of the Singaporean healthcare system, it is equally important to note that there are challenges this healthcare system faces as outlined above.
We are open to recommendations and suggestions. Kindly air your view in the comment box.
The Finland healthcare system is a universal healthcare system rated among the top best healthcare systems in the world.
Finland has over the years focused on the prevention of diseases and through health promotion and awareness, there has been a significant impact on the eradication of certain communicable diseases and improvement in the health of the general population.
The quality of service in Finland’s healthcare system is great compared to that of most countries in the work.
According to a 2000 survey published by the European Commission, Finland belongs to the top five countries in satisfaction: 88% of Finnish respondents were satisfied, compared with the EU average of 71%.
Introduction to Finland health care system
The Finland healthcare system can be considered a success because of several factors. For instance, due to public health interventions and progress in medical care, there has been an outstanding improvement in life expectancy for decades.
In 2009, Finland was recorded to have 2.7 practicing physicians for every 1000 individuals compared to a nurse ratio of 9.6 nurses to 1000 individuals.
This can partly be explained by the importance placed on the use of nurses, who greatly reduce the need for practicing physicians.
Finland is considered outstanding particularly in regards to specialized medical care and the coverage of its screening and vaccination programs. Finland has a very comprehensive screening program for breast cancer where 84% of women, aged 50 to 69 years, annually take part.
Lower fertility rates and an aging population, due to increased life expectancy, brings new challenges to the Finnish health care system.
Structure of Finland healthcare system
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health directs and guides the development and policies of social protection, social welfare, and health care.
Due to the decentralized public administration of Finland’s healthcare system, municipalities decide how the local services are provided.
Every municipality has a responsibility to offer health care services to their residents and it is usually provided in municipal health care centers and/or municipal hospitals. In addition to municipal health care services, employers must offer occupational healthcare services to their workers.
Private hospital groups offer primary and secondary care services but they may also refer patients to the university hospitals or to community hospitals run by the local municipality for specialist care and treatment.
Some part of the costs incurred in the use of private medical providers can be reclaimed from the government social insurance institution KELA but this is never 100%.
The Finnish universal health care system implores that access to hospital care is subject to a request from a general practitioner.
Primary care is obtained from the health care centers employing general practitioners and nurses that provide most day-to-day medical services.
The general practitioners are also gatekeepers to the more specialized services in the secondary and tertiary care sectors, as a referral from primary care providers is necessary to receive care on the secondary and tertiary levels.
For secondary care, Finland is geographically divided into 21 hospital districts and each district provides more specialized care for the municipalities within its region.
Finland also has a network of five university teaching hospitals which makes up the tertiary level. These contain the most advanced medical equipment and facilities in the country funded by the municipalities; however, the national government meets the cost of medical training.
Finland healthcare system funding
The healthcare system receives funding from two sources. Municipal financing is based on taxes and is used to provide primary healthcare services.
Municipalities fund the health centers on the primary care level and regional hospitals on the secondary care level.
National Health Insurance (NHI) is based on compulsory fees and it is used to fund private healthcare, occupational healthcare, outpatient drugs, and sickness allowance.
Regional and university hospitals are financed by federations of participating municipalities, often using the diagnosis-related group system.
Costs of Public Healthcare in Finland healthcare system
The Finland healthcare system makes healthcare services available to everyone in Finland, regardless of their financial situation, which is one of the benefits of the universal health care system.
Public health services are mainly financed from tax revenues; partly municipal, partly state tax. The central government’s contribution to municipal healthcare is determined by population numbers, age structures, and morbidity statistics.
Finland spends less than 7% of its gross national product on healthcare, one of the lowest among EU member states. The public sector finances 76% of total healthcare expenditure, users of services 20%, and others 4%.
There are 5 recognized universities in Finland that offer basic medical education. All medical schools have research programs for students who wish to undertake scientific work.
During the clinical period of their courses, students participate in the work of various hospital and health center departments, learning necessary medical skills.
After each clinical course, students have to pass a final examination in the specialty. Basic medical education lasts for some six and a half years and leads to the degree of Licentiate of Medicine.
A large number of programs in Finland are offered in English, especially at the Master’s level. However, undergraduate studies are mostly conducted in Finnish.
The cost to study in Finland
Finland is among the top countries with free healthcare and colleges. College in Finland is free for students hailing from the European Union. Medical school lasts six years in Finland. It leads to the degree of Licentiate in Medicine.
However, starting in 2017, international undergraduate students wishing to earn degrees in English will pay a minimum of 1,500 EUR per year (approximately $1,776 per year), though many universities charge far more depending on the degree level and program of study.1 2
However, doctoral students no matter what country they are from as well as those pursuing their studies in Finnish still pay no tuition.
Finland’s Healthcare system consists of a highly decentralized three-level publicly funded healthcare system and a much smaller private sector, which offers its residents universal healthcare.
One ought to also consider the cost of living when studying in Finland, for instance, food in Finland is 20% more expensive than the rest of most countries in Europe.
Access to Finland’s Healthcare System
There are different routes to access the healthcare system in Finland, but the two common routes are;
Kela Card
EHIC Card in Finland
Kela Card (Finnish Social Security and Health Insurance Card)
All residents of Finland should have their Kela Card issued to prove their eligibility for social security and National Health Insurance in Finland.
Kela Card also gives discounts for buying medicines. However, it is only available to persons moving to Finland on permanent status.
EHIC Card in Finland
Citizens of the European U, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are entitled to public healthcare upon provision of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
If you are not from the European Union, you should obtain either travel or international health insurance before visiting Finland to use private healthcare services.
European Union citizens moving to Finland can also obtain international insurance if they prefer to use private services.
Visiting a Specialist in Finland
If one requires hospital admission or specialist care in Finland, a referral letter from your family doctor would be required.
As earlier mentioned, Finland is divided into 21 hospital districts. Each district provides more specialized care for the municipalities within its region.
Finland health care ranking
According to Worldpopulationreview, Finland comes in the 31st position in the world healthcare ranking. A good and reliable healthcare system can never be neglected and through the treatment (or prevention) of illness, injury, disease, and other physical or mental impairments personal health is maintained, and life expectancy increased.
It is also noted that Finland stands among the countries with the best health care system globally. BAV Group/Wharton School (2020)
Does the healthcare system contribute to making Finland a happy country?
Finland has a universal health care system which is a significant factor in how happy its citizens feel.
With a low crime rate, a good healthcare system, and a welcoming employment rate, most Fins tend to have a high standard of living and to feel content in their daily lives.
What are the top causes of death in Finland?
Cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and nervous system disorders are leading causes of death in Finland.
Heart diseases are the leading cause of death, followed by Alzheimer’s and other dementias and stroke. Many deaths formerly assigned to pneumonia are now classified as deaths due to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and cardiovascular diseases.
Conclusion
Finland has a population of over 5 million people which are covered by this Finland healthcare system. The government and different organizations strive in having the name of Finland written boldly among the best healthcare systems in the world.
This system of healthcare service delivery wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the impacts of the health care workers ranging from but are not limited to the physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and scientists.
With collective and collaborative efforts this health care system keeps growing from strength to strength.
We are open to recommendations and suggestions kindly reach out to us through the comment section.
The best healthcare system in the world has given many the curiosity to dig for more information.
However, individuals have different views about the healthcare system of different countries and each country has a different healthcare system they consider appealing to the nation’s management.
To some people, there is no standard way how to rate the best healthcare system in the world because of variations in different regions like population and geographical state which have brought many unsettled controversies to the table.
The WHO rankings on the best healthcare system in the world are claimed to have been subject to many and varied criticisms since its publication in 2000.
Introduction to the best healthcare system in the world
Concerns raised over the five factors considered, data sets used and comparison methodologies have led health bodies and political commentators from different countries on the list to question the efficacy of its results and validity of any conclusions drawn.
Such criticisms of the WHO to rank the best health care system in the world must also however be understood in the context of a predisposition to analytical bias commensurate with an individual nation’s demographics, socio-economics, and politics as earlier mentioned.
In over 10 years of discussion and controversy over the WHO Ranking of the best health care system in the world, there is still no consensus about how a world health system ranking should be compiled.
The health care system and maintenance are one of the costly items in a country’s budget therefore, it is considered an essential factor of deliberation.
The performance of health systems has been a major concern for executive and legislative bodies for many years. Many countries have in recent times introduced reforms in their health sectors with the aim of improving performance.
Measurement of performance requires an explicit framework defining the goals of a health system against which outcomes can be judged and performance quantified.
Factors to quantify the best health care system in the world:
Responsiveness to health or medical cases
Fairness in financing the health system
Level of distribution to a health care facility
The efficiency of the health system
Quality and Equity of distribution
The improvement in the health of the population both in terms of levels attained and distribution is an essential tool, that can be used to rate the best health care system in the world.
While enhanced responsiveness of the health system to the legitimate expectations of the population refers to the non-health improving dimensions of the interactions of the populace with the health system and reflects the respect of persons and client orientation in the delivery of health services.
As with health outcomes, both the level of responsiveness and its distribution is important. The third intrinsic goal is fairness in financing and financial risk protection.
The aim is to ensure that poor households should not pay a higher share of their discretionary expenditure on health than richer households, and all households should be protected against catastrophic financial losses related to ill health as in the case of the universal health system.
This article, “the best health care system in the world” is to bring to light a few things you need to know about the health system in a few selected countries. Some of the leading world powers are selected and their health systems are briefly analyzed.
Countries with the best health care system in the world
New Zealand
Austria
Denmark
Sweden
Canada
United States of America
France
Australia
Netherlands
Germany
United kingdoms
Japan
Israel
South Korea
Switzerland
New Zealand in the best health care system in the world
The Netherlands is known for its universal and excellent standard of healthcare and it’s regularly rated among the best health care system in the world.
The Netherlands has universal healthcare, but the government requires all adults living or working in the Netherlands to have basic insurance.
The basic plan covers the basic standard of care like visits to hospitals. Some treatments may have an excess for which you need to pay a portion out of pocket.
Many people also choose to get a higher level of insurance coverage for an additional fee that compensates for other treatments not covered on the basic insurance package.
Austria
Austria has a two-tier health care system in which virtually all individuals receive publicly funded care, but they also have the option to purchase supplementary private health insurance.
Care involving private insurance plans (sometimes referred to as “comfort class” care) can include more flexible visiting hours and private rooms and doctors. Some individuals choose to completely pay for their care privately.
Austrian health care spending as a percentage of GDP for 1970 to 2015, compared with other nations. Healthcare in Austria is universal for residents of Austria as well as those from other EU countries.
Enrollment in the public health care system is generally automatic and is linked to employment. However, insurance is also guaranteed to co-insured persons (i.e. spouses and dependents), pensioners, students, the disabled, and those receiving unemployment benefits.
All insured persons are issued an e-Card, which must be presented when visiting a doctor (however, some doctors only treat privately insured patients). The e-Card allows for the digitization of health claims and replaces the earlier health insurance voucher.
Hospitals and clinics can be either state-run or privately run. Austria has a relatively high density of hospitals and physicians; In 2011 there were 4.7 Physicians per 1000 people, which is slightly greater than the average for Europe.
Denmark among the health care system in the world
Denmark has the highest employment rate in Europe (74 percent in 2015). In the last three years, the World Bank has ranked Denmark as the best country for business in Europe and third-best in the world after Singapore and New Zealand.
In addition, Transparency International ranked Denmark as the least corrupt country in the world in 2015. In relation, the health care system of Denmark is a standard that most countries cling to.
Many scholars have rated Denmark among the best health care system in the world.
The Danish healthcare system is universal and based on the principles of free and equal access to healthcare for all citizens. The healthcare system offers high-quality services, the majority of which are financed by general taxes.
Sweden among the health care system in the world
Healthcare in Sweden is largely tax-funded. The system ensures everyone has equal access to healthcare facilities and services.
This health care system is mainly government-funded, universal for all citizens, and decentralized, although private health care also exists. Private healthcare is relatively scarce in Sweden, and even those private institutions work under the mandated city councils.
Canada
Canada’s health care system is a publicly funded health care system and is best described as an interlocking set of ten provincial and three territorial health systems.
Canada has a decentralized, universal, publicly funded health system called Canadian Medicare.
Health care is funded and administered primarily, by the country’s 13 provinces and territories. Each has its own insurance plan, and each receives cash assistance from the federal government on a per-capita basis. Many scholars have rated Canada among the best health care system in the world
The United States of America
The United States does not have a universal healthcare program, unlike most other developed countries. In 2013, 64% of health spending was paid for by the government, and funded via programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Veterans Health Administration.
This system primarily relies on employers to voluntarily provide health insurance coverage to their employees and dependents.
The U.S. health care system is unique among advanced industrialized countries. Rather than operating a national health service, a single-payer national health insurance system, or a multi-payer universal health insurance fund, the U.S. health care system can best be described as a hybrid system.
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.
France
The health care system in France is made up of a fully integrated network of public hospitals, private hospitals, doctors, and other medical service providers. It is a universal service providing health care for every citizen, irrespective of wealth, age, or social status.
The French health care system is funded in part by obligatory health contributions levied on all salaries, and paid by employers, employees, and the self-employed; in part by central government funding; and in part by users who normally have to pay a small fraction of the cost of most acts of health care that they receive.
Australia in the best health care system in the world
The Australian public access health care facilities within the public health system for free or at a lower cost through Medicare (funded by tax).
The private system includes health service providers that are owned and managed privately, such as private hospitals, specialist medical and allied health, and pharmacies.
Every Australian is eligible for Medicare the country’s national universal health care program and can receive medical care at public hospitals and other health care providers, usually with no out-of-pocket costs except for outpatient prescription drugs and some auxiliary services.
Netherlands among the best health care system in the world
The Netherlands has universal healthcare, but the government requires all adults living or working in the Netherlands to have basic insurance.
The basic plan will cost € 100-120 out of pocket. If you’re employed, your employer will pay a small percentage towards medical coverage as well.
Germany
Germany has a universal multi-payer health care system. Employers and their employees pay for most of the health care system in Germany through premiums.
All workers contribute about 7.5 percent of their salary to a public health insurance pool. According to the Euro health consumer index, which placed it in the seventh position in its 2015 survey, Germany has long had the most restriction-free and consumer-oriented healthcare system in Europe.
Patients are allowed to seek almost any type of care they wish whenever they want it.
United kingdoms in the beast health care system in the world
The health care system here is devolved, with England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales each having their own systems of publicly funded healthcare, funded by and accountable to separate governments and parliaments, together with the smaller private sector and voluntary provision.
The UK has a government-sponsored universal healthcare system called the National Health Service (NHS). The NHS consists of a series of publicly funded healthcare systems in the UK. It includes the National Health Services (England), NHS Scotland, NHS Wales, and Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland. Citizens are entitled to healthcare under this system but have the option to buy private health insurance as well.
The NHS Plan promises more power and information for patients, more hospitals and beds, more doctors and nurses, significantly shorter waiting times for appointments, improved healthcare for older patients, and tougher standards for NHS organizations.
The UK’s health care system is one of the most efficient in the world, according to a study of seven industrialized countries. The Commonwealth Fund report looked at five areas of performance – quality, efficiency, access to care, equity, and healthy lives, The Netherlands ranked first overall, closely followed by the UK and Australia.
The UK performed well when it came to the quality of care and access to care. The UK also ranked first in its efficiency, which was measured by examining total national spending on healthcare as a percentage of GDP, as well as the amount spent on healthcare administration and insurance.
Israel
Healthcare in Israel is universal and participation in a medical insurance plan is compulsory.
All Israeli residents are entitled to basic health care as a fundamental right. In 2015, Israel was ranked the sixth-healthiest country in the world by Bloomberg rankings and ranked eighth in terms of life expectancy.
South Korea is among the countries with the best health care system
South Korea is one of the world’s most rapidly industrializing countries. Along with industrialization has come universal health insurance. Within the span of 12 years, South Korea went from private voluntary health insurance to government-mandated universal coverage.
South Korea’s healthcare security system has three arms: the National Health Insurance Program,. Medical Aid Program, and Long-term Care Insurance Program.
Switzerland
Healthcare in Switzerland is universal and is regulated by the Swiss Federal Law on Health Insurance.
There are no free state-provided health services, but private health insurance is compulsory for all persons residing in Switzerland (within three months of taking up residence or being born in the country).
The Swiss healthcare system compares well with other OECD countries. It has universal health insurance coverage, permitting access to a broad range of modern facilities and efficient medical services.
The question now; is there really the best health care system in the world?
If you think there is more to this article you can drop your comment in the comment section.
There are many benefits of accreditation in healthcare system and must be considered important by any healthcare establishment.
Although accreditation comes with many challenges and preparations, it is still worthwhile to deem the program an essential one.
When it comes to the general accreditation of an establishment, either school, hospital, or any health-related establishment, standards that are meant to be reached are kept thereby strengthening the operation of the establishments.
Introduction to the benefits of accreditation in healthcare
The benefits of accreditation in healthcare cannot be over-emphasized and in this article, we are going to be looking at the benefits of accreditation and the impacts it has on the general healthcare system.
It has many advantages to the patients, healthcare staff, the general public, and the accreditation program.
List of best 10 benefits of accreditation in healthcare for 2021
Below is the list of benefits of accreditation in healthcare, however, we are considering 10 from the numerous advantages of accreditation in healthcare.
Accreditation promotes communication amongst healthcare
Encourages the adoption of standard facilities
Decreases length of stay in the healthcare facilities
Promotes transparency
Accreditation can decrease risks and liability costs
Encouragement of continuous improvement in the healthcare
Improves quality care and safety
Builds confidence and trust in the system
Accreditation provides a marketing advantage
Gives room for identifying gaps, measure results, and inefficiencies
Accreditation promotes communication amongst healthcare
Among the benefits of accreditation in healthcare, the above benefit is very important in the healthcare system owing to the fact that when there is a communication bridge across health care, they tend to operate synergistically in providing healthcare services and sharing common ideas across healthcare.
It’s helpful to know the role each person plays on a team. When people and organizations communicate well, they can share best practices and find opportunities to make care better.
In this vein communication amongst healthcare provides a better edge in policymaking because everyone’s opinion in the system will count.
Encourages the adoption of standard facilities
Accreditation goes a long way in making health care adopts better and standard facilities for a better remark from the accreditation bodies.
This does not only uplift an effective operation of the healthcare, it equally encourages better patients care and management.
Decreases length of stay in the healthcare facility
Lengthy hospital stay is a nightmare to many and also discourages many from visiting the health care facilities.
Through accreditation, this can be reduced because the healthcare system will make them put everything that will lead to bad remarks behind and be their best.
In this pandemic, the lengthy hospital stay is highly discouraged in order to facilitate physical distancing.
Promotes transparency
Transparency is facilitated by accreditation because each healthcare is expected to reach a set standard. Once reach the health care becomes accredited and vice versa.
These standards are open for health care to attain before the accreditation process begins.
Accreditation can decrease risks and liability costs
Accreditation facilitates safer care which brings about reduced risk costs. In 2017, Williams et al. looked at 711 accredited long-term care homes in the United States.
They studied a wide range of ratings including health inspections, staffing, inspection deficiencies, fines, and quality measures. They found that the 711 accredited facilities had a better performance on these measures, indicating that the accredited facilities exposed residents to fewer immediate risks.
Encouragement of continuous improvement in the healthcare
A continuous improvement in health care is to encourage seamlessly. Every health care tends to improve in their services once a regulatory body is watching.
Therefore, they improve continuously to be fit and ready for accreditation at any time.
Improves quality care and safety
This is among the benefits of accreditation in healthcare. It helps determine how your staff approach their jobs.
Every healthcare is focused on giving in the best and this process of accreditation motivates this zeal in the health care system.
The staff would see positive outcomes of a well-run accreditation process, will continue to improve the quality and safety of care together.
Builds confidence and trust in the system
This is an essential factor in the growth of any healthcare, when the patients have confidence that health care will provide the quality services they need, they will be calm to will do exactly as instructed. Confidence and trust are built on the level of accreditation healthcare has.
This will also go also the way in positive remarks and recommendations.
Accreditation provides a marketing advantage
As earlier mentioned, accreditation facilitates recommendation and equally provides a marketing advantage over non-accredited healthcare. Since competition remains among the health care system and other organizations, one of the things that give a health care system edge over others is accreditation.
No health care with a great plan neglects the impact of accreditation on the establishment.
Gives room for identifying gaps and inefficiencies
One of the benefits of accreditation in healthcare is that it creates an ample opportunity for healthcare to identify its flaws and inefficiencies and work towards bridging the gaps of not being up to standard.
Conclusion
The impact of accreditation on the quality of healthcare services is worth the process and time however, accreditation comes with its own challenges.
Also, the truth remains that every healthcare ought to go through the process of accreditation for the benefits of accreditation in healthcare not limited to the ones listed above.
Ireland’s healthcare system is a comprehensive public healthcare system and remains among the best healthcare systems in the world.
Healthcare delivery in Ireland is through public and private healthcare. The public health care system is governed by the Health Act 2004, which established a new body to be responsible for providing health and personal social services to everyone living in.
In addition to the public sector, there is also a large private healthcare market for the Irish people.
Every legal resident in Ireland is entitled to receive health care through the public health care system, which is managed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and funded by general taxation and subsidized fees for service.
Ireland’s healthcare system has improved spontaneously over the years, which might be traced to the investment and finances pumped into the system.
Introduction to Ireland healthcare system
The public healthcare system is funded by the government, with the deficit paid through voluntary health care payments and household spending.
To receive publicly funded health services in Ireland, you must be able to satisfy the HSE that you are ‘ordinarily resident in Ireland‘.
To establish whether you are ordinarily resident, you must be able to demonstrate that you intend to remain in Ireland for a minimum of one year by providing any evidence that you will be staying.
In recent times, about 40% of the population receives medical care at absolutely no cost. The remainder receives heavily subsidized services through the public system or they choose to opt for private insurance coverage.
More than 45% of Irish residents hold a private health insurance policy, the highest percentage in all of Europe.
The popularity of private medical care is due in part to the costs associated with the public system for those not eligible for the Medical Card and GP Visit Card programs. Also, with private care, the waits are much shorter and the diagnostic procedures are more high-tech.
Is healthcare in Ireland free?
The healthcare system in Ireland is not entirely free, because you need to be eligible to get it free and eligibility comes with a cost.
However, it can be said to be highly subsidized, and having a medical card, will allow one to access most medical services for free.
According to OEDC, The average person in Ireland ends up spending about £497 per year on out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure.
All maternity services and child care up to the age of 6 years of age are provided free of charge. Emergency care is provided for €100 for a visit to an Accident and Emergency department if one has not attended a GP first.
In Ireland, a general practitioner, or GP, is a doctor who works from a private surgery rather than a hospital. Unless you have a medical emergency, then the GP is usually your first point of contact. Everyone else has a choice of sticking with public healthcare and paying costs when they come up, or going private and paying premiums for a policy that will protect them from outrageous charges.
Ireland healthcare system pros and cons
Ireland’s healthcare system pros and cons can be said to be the effect of the healthcare system on the citizens and the government.
There is no doubt that in every rule, there must be a negative and a positive impact. In Ireland’s healthcare system, there is no exemption.
Ireland healthcare system pros
Ireland’s healthcare system comes with many advantages; we are going to look at some of these advantages of the comprehensive healthcare system in Ireland.
Ability to access health care services regardless of their ability to pay
Subsidized Medical and health cost
There is a generally healthier population
Ability to access health care services regardless of their ability to pay
Ireland’s healthcare system gives the ability to access health care services regardless of their ability to pay. This is very important because you don’t need to bother yourself with your medical cost once you are eligible.
Subsidized Medical and health cost
Ireland’s healthcare system goes a long in subsidizing the cost of medical bills. This system drastically reduces the cost of medical bills in all ramifications.
Under this healthcare system, there is no competition because the government regulates health care costs. This drives the cost of healthcare down substantially.
There is a generally healthier population
This system is essential for a healthy general population because every legal citizen is eligible to access the healthcare system when in need of it.
Ireland healthcare system cons
Providing quality, and equality in healthcare services to all who seek a response to their needs are considered to be among the great challenges in the Ireland healthcare system area.
As earlier stated, given the advantages accruing from the Ireland healthcare system, there are also disadvantages people are likely to face and they include;
Longer wait time
Increased government budget
Unconducive government policies
Longer wait time
Since the government makes healthcare service delivery cheap, most people tend to go to these public hospitals thereby, making them populated and indirectly increasing the wait time to be attended to.
Increased government budget
Among the Ireland healthcare system cons, the government invests a huge sum in the health sector thereby stressing the budget indirectly.
Unconducive government policies
The Ireland healthcare system may be faced with this challenge of unfavorable government policies which would also affect the private sector leading to more expensive medical bills from the private sector.
Conclusion on the Ireland healthcare system
The Ireland healthcare system is one of the best in Europe and the world at large. The government is equally working vehemently to make sure that they stand out in standard healthcare delivery by adopting modern technologies and improving the general health sector.
However, there are still challenges as stated in the Ireland healthcare system’s pros and cons.
Does Canada have universal healthcare? Canada has a universal healthcare system and stands among the countries with the top healthcare system globally.
However, the healthcare system in Canada is a bit complicated even for some of the citizens because when you are not informed you are disengaged.
This article will go beyond the single question of does Canada has universal healthcare. Everything you need to know about the Canadian healthcare system is made known.
Canada’s healthcare system is publicly funded and dynamic; several adjustments have been made over the past few decades and will continue in response to changes in evolving medicine and health throughout society.
The basics, however, remain the same universal coverage for medically necessary health care services provided on the basis of need, rather than the ability to pay.
From the above, you already know that Canada does have a universal healthcare system it operate. Although is essential you know how the entire universal healthcare system works.
Overview of does Canada have universal healthcare
There are two systems involved in healthcare delivery in Canada namely:
Provincial system and
Territorial systems of publicly funded health care are informally called Medicare.
The provinces and territories administer and deliver most of Canada’s health care services, with all provincial and territorial health insurance plans expected to meet national principles set out under the Canada Health Act.
Each provincial and territorial health insurance plan covers medically necessary hospital and doctors’ services that are provided on a pre-paid basis, without direct charges at the point of service. The provincial and territorial governments fund these services with assistance from federal cash and tax transfers.
Most provincial and territorial governments offer and fund supplementary benefits for certain groups (e.g., low-income residents and seniors), such as drugs prescribed outside hospitals, ambulance costs, and hearing, vision, and dental care, that are not covered under the Canada Health Act.
Although the provinces and territories provide these additional benefits for certain groups of people, supplementary health services are largely financed privately. Individuals and families who do not qualify for publicly funded coverage may pay these costs directly, be covered under an employment-based group insurance plan, or buy private insurance.
Under most provincial and territorial laws, private insurers are restricted from offering coverage that duplicates that of the publicly funded plans, but they can compete in the supplementary coverage market.
As well, each province and territory has an independent workers’ compensation agency, funded by employers, which funds services for workers who are injured on the job.
Canadians often consider universal access to publicly funded health services as a “fundamental value that ensures national health care insurance for everyone wherever they live in the country.” Canadian Medicare provides coverage for approximately 70 percent of Canadians’ healthcare needs, and the remaining 30 percent is paid for through the private sector.
Canada is currently experiencing high costs due to a demographic shift towards an older population, with more retirees and fewer people of working age. In 2006, the average age was 39.5 years; over a decade it rose to 42.4 years, with a life expectancy of 81.1 years.
Canada has one of the highest rates of adult obesity among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries attributing to approximately 2.7 million cases of diabetes (diabetes mellitus and insipidus).
General functions of the provincial and territorial systems in Canadian healthcare include:
Administration of their health insurance plans
Planning and funding of care in hospitals and other health facilities
Services provided by doctors and other health professionals
Planning and implementation of health promotion and public health initiatives
Negotiation of fee schedules with health professionals
Canadian expenditure in Does Canada have universal healthcare
Within the publicly funded healthcare system, health expenditures vary across the provinces and territories.
This is, in part, due to differences in the services that each province and territory covers and on demographic factors, such as a population’s age. Other factors, such as areas where there are small or dispersed populations, may also have an impact on the general healthcare costs.
Canada has what is known as a single-payer system, where basic services are provided by private doctors (since 2002 they have been allowed to incorporate), with the entire fee paid for by the government at the same rate. Now, you know why this article does Canada have universal healthcare is essential.
Most government funding (94%) comes from the provincial level. while most family doctors receive a fee per visit.
These rates are negotiated between the provincial governments and the province’s medical associations, usually on an annual basis
According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), in 1975, total Canadian healthcare costs consumed 7% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Canada’s total healthcare expenditures as a percentage of GDP grew to an estimated 11.7% in 2010 (or $5,614 CDN per person).
In 2010, publicly funded health expenditures accounted for seven out of every 10 dollars spent on health care.
The remaining three out of every 10 dollars came from private sources and covered the costs of supplementary services such as drugs, dental care, and vision care. How healthcare dollars are spent has changed significantly over the last three decades.
Though the share of healthcare expenditures accounted for by hospitals declined to 29% in 2010 from approximately 45% in the mid-1970s, hospitals continue to account for the largest share of healthcare spending.
Hospital care is delivered by publicly funded hospitals in Canada. Most of the public hospitals, each of which are independent institutions incorporated under provincial Corporations Acts, are required by law to operate within their budget.
The amalgamation of hospitals in the 1990s has reduced competition between hospitals. This article “does Canada have universal healthcare is essential” will open your mind to verse things on the healthcare system Canadians operate.
Half of the private health expenditure comes from private insurance and the remaining half is supplied by out-of-pocket payments. Under the terms of the Canada Health Act, public funding is required to pay for medically necessary care, but only if it is delivered in hospitals or by physicians. There is considerable variation across the provinces/territories as to the extent to which such costs as out-of-hospital prescription medications, assistive devices, physical therapy, long-term care, dental care, and ambulance services are covered.
In 2009, the greatest proportion of this money went to hospitals ($51B), followed by pharmaceuticals ($30B), and physicians ($26B).
The proportion spent on hospitals and physicians has declined between 1975 and 2009 while the amount spent on pharmaceuticals has increased. Healthcare costs per capita vary across Canada with Quebec ($4,891) and British Columbia ($5,254) at the lowest level and Alberta ($6,072) and Newfoundland ($5,970) at the highest.
It is also the greatest at the extremes of age at a cost of $17,469 per capita in those older than 80 and $8,239 for those less than 1 year old in comparison to $3,809 for those between 1 and 64 years old in 2007.
In 2017, the Canadian Institute for Health Information reported that healthcare spending is expected to reach $242 billion, or 11.5% of Canada’s gross domestic product for that year. Total health spending per resident varies from $7,378 in Newfoundland and Labrador to $6,321 in British Columbia.
Knowing some of the benefits of universal healthcare will make you understand why people are inquisitive in asking does Canada have a universal healthcare system
Some of the benefits of universal healthcare in Canada
Lowers overall healthcare costs
It Could Increase Demand for Medical Services
Administrative costs subsidy
Standardizes service
A right to health care could make medical services affordable for everyone.
Creation of healthier workforce
Early childhood care prevents future social costs
Guides people to make healthier choices
A right to health care could save lives
Providing all citizens the right to health care is good for economic productivity
The universal health care pros and cons are of great importance. This article gives a great insight into universal healthcare pros and cons.
Universal health care refers to any action that a government takes to provide health care to as many people as possible at cheaper or no cost directly.
Some governments do this by setting minimum standards and regulations and some by implementing programs that cover the entire population.
The healthcare system has universal healthcare pros and cons however, the cardinal aim of a universal healthcare system is to cover medical bills for all bona fide citizens. Universal health care pros and cons cannot are essential for all to know.
Introduction to universal health care pros and cons
However, lower-income or those diagnosed with specific serious health conditions would have access to government-funded care. Essentially, it would be an expansion of the current Medicaid system with a few additional caveats.
Universal health care is a system that provides quality medical services to all citizens. The federal government offers it to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.
Before we proceed is essential you consider what pros and cons mean. Pro is a Latin root word meaning for. If you make a list of pros and cons, you are listing the reasons for doing something and the reasons not to, respectively.
In a nutshell, the universal healthcare pros and cons are the advantages and disadvantages of the universal healthcare system
Therefore, universal health care pros and cons are an essential part of any health system.
Universal healthcare pros and cons
We will look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of the universal healthcare system. There is a saying that no matter how good a system tends to be, there is always something missing.
This health care system is adopted by many countries for even cheaper health service delivery for the citizens yet, it faces many criticisms from individuals and organizations.
Universal healthcare pros or advantages
The right to health care is a recognized human right
Lowers overall healthcare costs
It Could Increase Demand for Medical Services
Administrative costs subsidy
Standardizes service
A right to health care could make medical services affordable for everyone.
Creation of healthier workforce
Early childhood care prevents future social costs
Guides people to make healthier choices
A right to health care could save lives
Providing all citizens the right to health care is good for economic productivity.
A right to health care could improve public health
Providing a right to health care could benefit private businesses.
A right to health care could stop medical bankruptcies
The right to health care is an internationally recognized human right
In 2005, the United States and the other member states of the World Health Organization signed World Health Assembly resolution 58.33, which stated that everyone should have access to healthcare services and should not suffer financial hardship when obtaining these services.
According to a peer-reviewed study in the Lancet, “ right-to-health features are not just good management, justice, or humanitarianism; they are obligations under human-rights law.”
Lowers overall health care cost in “universal health care pros and cons”
In a universal health system, the government controls the prices through negotiation and regulation thereby lowering the health cost.
This is a pro of the universal health system. Low-class individuals can have access to quality health care not considering their status.
It Could Increase Demand for Medical Services
The biggest benefit to this type of system is that it could make medical services affordable for more patients. In turn, this means more people seeking out healthcare who might have attempted self-care or no treatment at all.
For those in certain specialty practices, this has a good chance of meaning an increase in the number of patients. Why? Those who currently don’t have coverage for certain niche types of care would now be able to seek medical advice.
This is a great prospect for practitioners who want to keep their schedules full and their billing on pace with clinic goals.
Administrative costs subsidy
The cost of administration in a universal system is affordable therefore lifting burdens on the shoulders of young doctors.
For instance, doctors only deal with one government agency. For example, U.S. doctors spend four times as much as Canadians dealing with insurance companies.3
Standardizes service
In a competitive environment like the United States, health care providers must also focus on profit. They do this by offering the newest technology. They offer expensive services and pay doctors more. They try to compete by targeting the wealthy.
A right to health care could make medical services affordable for everyone.
According to a Gallup Poll, paying for health care is the biggest financial problem for US households.
A 2018 survey published by Becker’s Healthcare found that 22% of Americans found paying their deductible was “very difficult” or “impossible” and 64% reported that they delayed or did not seek medical care due to cost.
The cost of US family health insurance premiums increased 80% in the United States between 2003 and 2013. The cost of health insurance premiums for people who do not get coverage through work increased by 105% between 2013 and 2017.
Creation of a healthier workforce in universal health care pros and cons
Studies show that preventive care reduces the need for expensive emergency room usage.
Without access to preventive care, 46% of emergency room patients went because they had no other place to go. They used the emergency room as their primary care physician. This healthcare inequality is a big reason for the rising cost of medical care.
Early childhood care prevents future social costs
These include crime, welfare dependency, and health issues.6 Health education teaches families how to make healthy lifestyle choices, preventing chronic diseases.
Guides people to make healthier choices
Governments can impose regulations and taxes to guide the population toward healthier choices. Regulations make unhealthy choices, such as drugs, illegal. Sin taxes, such as those on cigarettes and alcohol, make them more expensive.
A right to health care could save lives
According to a study from Harvard researchers, “lack of health insurance is associated with as many as 44,789 deaths per year,” which translates into a 40% increased risk of death among the uninsured.
Another study found that more than 13,000 deaths occur each year just in the 55-64-year-old age group due to lack of health insurance coverage.
Providing all citizens the right to health care is good for economic productivity.
When people have access to health care, they live healthier lives and miss work less, allowing them to contribute more to the economy.
A study by researchers at the Universities of Colorado and Pennsylvania showed that workers with health insurance miss an average of 4.7 fewer work days than employees without health insurance. According to an Institute of Medicine report, the US economy loses $65-$130 billion annually because of diminished worker productivity, due to poor health, and premature deaths, among the uninsured
A right to health care could improve public health
According to a study in The Lancet that looked at data from over 100 countries, “evidence suggests that broader health coverage generally leads to better access to necessary care and improved population health, particularly for poor people.”
In the United States, people are 33% less likely to have a regular doctor, 25% more likely to have unmet health needs, and over 50% more likely to not obtain needed medicines compared to their Canadian counterparts who have a universal right to healthcare.
Providing a right to health care could benefit private businesses
If the United States implemented a universal right to health care, businesses would no longer have to pay for employee health insurance policies. As of 2017, 56% of Americans were receiving health insurance through their employer.
According to the Council on Foreign Relations, some economists believe the high costs of employee health insurance place US companies at a “competitive disadvantage in the international marketplace
A right to health care could stop medical bankruptcies
According to the National Bankruptcy Forum, medical debt is the #1 reason people file for bankruptcy in the United States.
In 2017, about 33% of all Americans with medical bills reported that they “were unable to pay for basic necessities like food, heat, or housing.”
If all US citizens were provided health care under a single-payer system medical bankruptcy would no longer exist, because the government, not private citizens, would pay all medical bills.
Universal healthcare cons or disadvantages
Healthy people pay for the sick
Longer wait times
Health care costs overwhelm government budgets
The government may limit services that have a low probability of success
A right to health care could increase debt and deficit.
Providing a right to health care could raise taxes.
Providing a right to health care could worsen a doctor shortage
Healthy people pay for the sick
Healthy people pay for others’ medical care: Chronic diseases make up 90% of health care costs. The sickest 5% of the population creates 50% of total healthcare costs, while the wealthiest 50% only creates 3% of costs. Equally, People have less financial incentive to stay healthy: Without a copay, people might overuse emergency rooms and doctors.
Longer wait times in “universal health care pros and cons”
There are long wait times for elective procedures: The government focuses on providing basic and emergency health care.
Medicaid is an example of a federally funded single-payer health care system that provides a right to health care for low-income people.
According to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, 9.4% of Medicaid beneficiaries have had trouble obtaining necessary care due to long wait times, versus 4.2% of people with private health insurance.
Health care costs overwhelm government budgets
Health care costs overwhelm government budgets. For example, some Canadian provinces spend almost 40% of their budgets on health care. In the same vein, doctors may cut care to lower costs if they aren’t well paid by cost-cutting governments: For example, doctors report Medicare payment cuts will force them to close many in-house blood testing labs.
The government may limit those services with a low probability of success
This includes drugs for rare conditions and expensive end-of-life care. In the United States, care for patients in the last six years of life makes up one-fourth of the Medicare budget.
A right to health care could increase debt and deficit
Spending on Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, all government programs that provide a right to health care for certain segments of the population, totaled less than 10% of the federal budget in 1985, but by 2012 these programs took up 21% of the federal budget and are predicted to reach 30% of federal spending by 2028.
According to former US House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI), government health care programs drive “the explosive growth in our spending and debt.
Providing a right to health care could raise taxes
In European countries with a universal right to health care, the cost of coverage is paid through higher taxes.
In the United Kingdom and other European countries, payroll taxes average 37% – much higher than the 15.3% payroll taxes paid by the average US worker.
According to Paul R. Gregory, Ph.D, a Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution, financing a universal right to health care in the United States would cause payroll taxes to double.
Providing a right to health care could worsen a doctor shortage
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) predicts a shortfall of up to 104,900 doctors by 2030.
If a right to health care were guaranteed to all, this shortage could be much worse. Doctor shortages in the United States have led to a 30% increase in wait times for doctor appointments between 2014 and 2017.
Types of universal health care systems in ” universal health care pros and cons “
There are essentially three ways to provide universal health care.
Private insurance
Single-payer system
Socialized medicine
Private insurance
The third system is to allow private insurance companies to regulate them and mandate that everyone purchase some type of health insurance plan.
Switzerland has regulated health insurance and the Affordable Care Act, which was passed in 2010, is an attempt to build a mandated health insurance system in the United States
Single-payer system
The second solution is to have a single-payer system, like Canada. Under a single-payer system, the government provides health insurance for everyone, but doctor’s offices and hospitals are still private businesses or nonprofits.
This type of system allows people more choice between doctors and hospitals with different approaches to care, but it also costs more than socialized medicine.
Socialized medicine
In this case, all hospitals would be owned by the government and all doctors and nurses would be government employees.
However, both doctors and patients have less choice in the range of treatments and procedures that are available to them.
In the universal health care pros and cons, it is essential you know that what works for A might not be suitable for B.
Countries with a universal health care system
There are over 70 countries with universal health care systems everyone ought to know;
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