Healthcare in the US Essay Example

Healthcare in the US Essay Example Healthcare in the US Paper Healthcare in the US Paper Essay Topic: In the Us According to an article written by Utresky,   the US spends more of its GDP on healthcare than any other developed nation. In 2001, the US spent 13.9% of its GDP on healthcare, compared with 7.8% for Japan, 9.4% for Canada, and 7.6% for the United Kingdom. In the United States, the healthcare system is not fully-publicly funded but is a mix of public and private funding. Certain publicly funded health care programs help to provide for the elderly, disabled, military service families and veterans, children, and the poor. US has several types of privately and publicly funded health insurance plans that provide healthcare services. The US Census Bureau reports that in 2003, 60.4% of the population was covered by employment-based health insurance, 26.6% was covered by government-based insurance, while 15.6% had no health insurance at all. However the federal law ensures public access to emergency services regardless of ability to pay but a system of universal health care has not been implemented. Furthermore, Utresky points out that â€Å"the cost of care is the greatest patient concern, particularly for the elderly. Medicare (the program for patients over 65 and those on disability) has limitations and does not, in its basic form, cover prescription drugs. The United States along with South Africa is one of the few industrialized nations without universal coverage. There is currently an ongoing debate on the need to achieve universal coverage as well as the best methods for improving the U.S. health care system†. Healthcare in Japan In the Japanese health care system, according to Ward Piccolo, healthcare services, including free screening examinations for particular diseases, prenatal care, and infectious disease control, are provided by national and local governments. Unlike the US, payment for personal medical services is offered through a universal health care insurance system that provides relative equality of access, with fees set by a government committee. People without insurance through employers can participate in a national health insurance program administered by local governments. Since 1973, all elderly persons have been covered by government-sponsored insurance. Costs covered in part or in full by health insurance include in- and out-patient care, home care, and dental care; prescription drugs; long-term care expenses; home nursing expenses for the elderly; prosthetics; and cash benefits for childbirth. Ward Piccolo believes that like most industrialized countries, Japan is planning for fundamental reforms in their current healthcare system, including a review of the current drug pricing system, the system for covering medical fees, methods of evaluating medical technologies, and the ideal combination of fee-for-service and fixed-fee payment systems. : Ward, J., Piccolo, C., Healthcare in Japan. August 11, 2007 from medhunters.com/articles/healthcareInJapan.html Uretsky, S., Healthcare in the United States. August11, 2007 from medhunters.com/articles/healthcareInTheUsa.html