International Health System

Summary of an international health care system

The universal health system is defined as a scheme whereby people have unrestrained access to the health care services they need. This system encompasses the government’s actions to ensure as many people as possible can access health care. Butticè (2020) noted that some governments set minimum regulations and implement policies covering the entire citizenry. The ultimate goal of the universal system is health coverage for all. In this system, health care facilities are obligated to provide services to individuals residing in different geographical locations across the country (Butticè, 2020). This system guarantees quality care in all health care facilities without subjecting people to an unnecessary financial burden. The purpose of this system, as pointed out by Amidon (2019), is to enhance health care delivery and promote longterm medical care by establishing a platform that transcends financial limits. This system protects people from unprecedented financial outcomes associated with the high cost of care.

The health care services provided under the universal health care system include disease prevention services, rehabilitation, health promotion, and palliative care (WHO, 2018). The three types of universal health care are the single-payer system, socialized medicine, and private insurance. The single-payer system implies that the government has implemented plans to provide health insurance for all people. Although this system is costly, it would give individuals more choices between care providers and health care facilities.

The U.S health care system

The United States health care system differs greatly from other developed nations. Unlike other nations that have implemented single-payer insurance programs, National Health Service, and multi-payer universal health insurance, the U.S has a hybrid system (Niles, 2018). The hybrid care system differs from other systems since it has integrated single-payer elements, publicly subsidized private payers, socialized medicine and self-pay systems (Donnelly, Erwin, Fox & Grogan, 2019). The U.S Federal government in liaison with state governments has implemented Medicare and Medicaid programs to provide health coverage to older people, children, physically disabled people and members of low-income communities (Shalowitz, 2019). American citizens can receive care from general practitioners or visit a physician of their choice in line with their health insurance cover. In the U.S, poor people including unemployed persons only benefit from government-sponsored programs (Shalowitz, 2019). These groups do not have private insurance cover hence have limited opportunities to visit care providers. Since the U.S does not have a cap system for pharmaceutical products medications are costly.

Payment for health care services in the U.S

Health care services in the U.S are paid for through various modalities, including private insurance and government-sponsored programs, and out-of-pocket. Medicare and Medicaid programs are the largest financiers of the health care system (Tikkanen et al., 2020). These programs provide reimbursement for health care services delivered to beneficiaries including elderly persons, veterans, children, poor and disabled people. State governments pay for different aspects of the safety net and local coverage. Private insurance programs are also major players in the health sector (Tikkanen et al., 2020). These insurance plans are provided to employed people

Satisfaction with the health care system

Many U.S citizens and residents are not satisfied with the current health care system. Jones and Brena (2020) noted that although satisfaction has increased in recent years only 30% of the entire populace are satisfied with the health care system. Health care analysts have revealed the U.S healthcare is the most expensive among the industrialized nations. Individuals, according to Kaiser Foundation (2021), spend over $7400 annually whereas families spend about $21,300 per year. The high health care costs make many people, especially those who do not qualify for various insurance, delay treatment. Delaying care means people are not getting the necessary health services. These people argue that a system overhaul is necessary to lower costs to improve access and affordability. Literature also reveals that over 67% of people are satisfied with the health insurance programs and the payment systems in play (Jones & Brena, 2020).

Comparing the US and the universal health care system

The health care system in the U.S is different from systems existing in other nations. For instance, whereas some countries such as Singapore have a universal system, the U.S system comprises a mix of health care plans, including private, self-sponsored, and governmentsponsored. In universal systems, healthcare is equally provided to citizens (Glassman, 2017).

People can access all forms of health care services when in need. Importantly, residents are cushioned from financial burdens emanating from exorbitant health care costs.

On the contrary, health care in the U.S is greatly unequal. This system is almost exclusively private and only people with an insurance program or who are financially stable can access health care (Glassman, 2017). U.S hospitals are either non-profit or profit-oriented entities.