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temi Joined: 21 Aug 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2004 11:52 am	Post subject: How does the American health care system work? Now and again I hear about Medicare which I take it refers to the American health system, In UK we have the NHS (National Health Service). Everyone is entitle to have a free treatment from any NHS hospital, you do not need to pay but you may need to pay for you medication if you income is above a certain amount. How does the America Medicare work, I think I read somewhere or saw in a film that you can be turned away from hospital if you do not have Medicare, is it now nationally financed? Temi


iRuleThisForum Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2004 10:35 am	Post subject: Quote: How does the America Medicare work, I think I read somewhere or saw in a film that you can be turned away from hospital if you do not have Medicare, is it now nationally financed? This is a big topic, but I guess we can start from reading the following, "Canadian and American health care systems compared." One scary thing about America Medicare is that you basically have no guaranteed health insurance. Consequently, if you are poor and/or just get laid off and you get sick, you are in a serious trouble. We can talk about more, but I have to say that US health care system is pretty poor in developed countries, it is probably one of the worst ones in leading developed countries(for most people). Canadian and American health care systems compared The comparison of the health care systems of Canada and the United States is of great import to both nations. The very different methods of delivering health care allows citizens and politicians to look to the other side of the border for alternatives. In Canada, the United States is used both as a model and as a cautionary warning with regards to increasing private sector involvement in health care. In the United States, Canada's socialized health system is also seen both as model to be followed and as a cautionary warning by different sides of the ideological spectrum. Government involvement The two neighbors are a dramatic contrast. Canada has the world's most fully socialized health care system while the United States is the only OECD country not to have some form of guaranteed health insurance. The governments of both nations are closely involved in the delivery of health care. The central structural difference between the two is in health insurance. In Canada all citizens are guaranteed access to free health care by the Canada Health Act. In the United States health insurance must be paid for privately, in most cases by a person’s employer. However, there are about forty million Americans who do not have health insurance. Canada's health plan only covers certain areas. Dental care is not covered, and optometry is only covered in some provinces. When compared, the privately managed sectors of the health system have similar rates of participation and treatment in both countries. Cost of health care Health care is of the most expensive items of both nations’ budgets. In 2001, in Canada, about 16.2% of government money was spent on health care, while in the United States this number was 17.6%. When exchange rates are included it can be seen that government in the United States spends more per capita on health care than it does in Canada. In 2001, the government of Canada spent $1533 (in US dollars) per person on health care, while in the United States it gave $2168. Despite the American government paying more per capita, private sources also pay far more for health care in the United States. In Canada an average of $630 dollars is spent annually by individuals or private insurance companies for health care, including dental, eye care, and drugs. In the United States this number is $2719. In 2001 the United States spent in total 13.6% of its annual GDP on health care. In Canada only 9.5% of the GDP was spent on health care. Medical professionals Some of the extra money spent in the United States goes to doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, all of whom are paid far higher salaries south of the border. In Canada billing rates for each procedure are set through negotiations between the provincial governments and the physicians' organizations. In the United States the free market determines the rates, but with some significant influence from the large insurance companies. This leads to much higher salaries in the United States. Some economists have argued that in highly technical matters like health care the free market fails as one group, the doctors, have far more knowledge than the patients. In Canada the government professionals are also experts in the field and thus, the argument goes, fairer rates are set. One effect of this is a brain drain whereby skilled doctors and nurses, who have trained in Canada partially at the taxpayer's expense, emigrate to the United States to pursue higher salaries. In part due to this problem, Canada has fewer doctors per capita than the United States. In the United States there were 2.8 doctors per 1000 people in 1998 while in Canada only 2.1. Drugs Another much higher cost in the United States is that of prescription drugs and medicines. Canada has laws that impose less rigorously medical patents. Generic drugs are thus allowed on Canadian shelves sooner. The Canadian system also takes advantage of centralized buying by the provincial governments that have more market heft and buy in bulk, lowering prices. Also, Canada continues to be a world leader in the research and development of pharmaceuticals. Litigation A third important difference is the prevalence of expensive malpractice lawsuits in the United States. These frequently award patients millions of dollars for errors made by doctors. In Canada such lawsuits are very rare. Canadian law gives virtually nothing for pain and suffering, which in the United States is worth millions. Rather Canadian settlements cover future medical care, lost income, and other such expenses. Moreover, in Canada it is illegal for lawyers to work on commission - they must be paid their hourly rate or work pro bono. This greatly reduces the number of lawsuits, and makes it very difficult for the poor to sue. The document was originally published at Wikipedia and the document is licensed under GNU Free Document License. If you'd like to find out more about obesity, you might be interested in visiting this page in Wikipedia.

temi Joined: 21 Aug 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2004 10:00 pm	Post subject: Absolutely fascinating, I guess its the nature of the beast, US is a pretty capitalistic country but it will be rather nice for you government to introduce some safety net for the less well off in the society Temi

iRuleThisForum Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2004 10:37 pm	Post subject: Healthcare system and welfare system have changed rather dramatically looking back the last 20 years or so. Healthcare system has become a kind of system that you can get the best healthcare if you are wealthy. There is an interesting statistics that, if you just check those who are over 70 years old, Americans have the longest life expectancy, which implies that ... 1. They survived until 70 years old because they are naturally healthy and strong or ... 2. They lived until 70 years old because they could afford the best and greatest healthcare system in the world.

-=Hero Doug=- Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2004 11:04 pm	Post subject: I really have trouble believing that Americans have the longest life span at early 70's, especially when it's mid 80's in Sweeden (Last I heard).

iRuleThisForum Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2004 11:19 pm	Post subject: -=Hero Doug=- wrote: I really have trouble believing that Americans have the longest life span at early 70's, especially when it's mid 80's in Sweeden (Last I heard). Maybe I got the number wrong, but the point is that you have to be very very healthy without relying on any healthcare, Medicare or you have to be very rich to live long in America.

jzrocker Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 2:33 pm	Post subject: please help I'm trying to do a project about the healthcare system-mostly about insurance. I need to know how the insurance and provider system works. Maybe I'm really bad at research, but I can't seem to find much information. This thread was the best I've found so far. Can anyone explain to me in detail or point me to a resource that could? thanks

iRuleThisForum Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 10:48 am	Post subject: Re: please help jzrocker wrote: Can anyone explain to me in detail or point me to a resource that could? thanks The following article gives a good overview of healthcare in US: Health care in the United States is provided by many separate legal entities. Current estimations put US health spending at approximately 15% of GDP. Unlike most Western governments such as Canada or Germany, the U.S. government does not guarantee publicly-funded health care to its citizens. (It is important to note, however, that most government functions in the United States are delegated to the individual states.) If a citizen lacks health insurance, then he must either pay for treatment, or typically be treated at another, cheaper, or sometimes third-rate hospital, or the county hospital. Various government programs for state aid exist to cover some emergency or more long-term care, and the generally high cost of treatment has led to the concept of doctors completing pro bono work in addition to their more high-paying customers, although in practice even serious conditions are left untreated. Health insurance is expensive and medical bills are overwhelmingly the most common reason for personal bankruptcy in the United States. The overall United States health care performance was ranked 37th by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1997, far below the average of developed nations. In the same year, health level according to the DALE index indicates the United States was ranked 72nd in the world by WHO.; worse than China and comparable to Iraq. The document was originally published at Wikipedia and the document is licensed under GNU Free Document License. If you'd like to find out more about Health care in the United States, you might be interested in visiting this page in Wikipedia. If you already read the article or you already know what's in the article, then you should look for other more detailed information, but if not, this is a good place to start.

Author

Message

temi

Joined: 21 Aug 2004

Location: United Kingdom

Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2004 11:52 am

Post subject: How does the American health care system work?

Now and again I hear about Medicare which I take it refers to the American health system, In UK we have the NHS (National Health Service). Everyone is entitle to have a free treatment from any NHS hospital, you do not need to pay but you may need to pay for you medication if you income is above a certain amount.

How does the America Medicare work, I think I read somewhere or saw in a film that you can be turned away from hospital if you do not have Medicare, is it now nationally financed?

Temi

iRuleThisForum

Joined: 23 Jul 2004

Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2004 10:35 am

Post subject:

Quote:

How does the America Medicare work, I think I read somewhere or saw in a film that you can be turned away from hospital if you do not have Medicare, is it now nationally financed?

This is a big topic, but I guess we can start from reading the following, "Canadian and American health care systems compared." One scary thing about America Medicare is that you basically have no guaranteed health insurance. Consequently, if you are poor and/or just get laid off and you get sick, you are in a serious trouble. We can talk about more, but I have to say that US health care system is pretty poor in developed countries, it is probably one of the worst ones in leading developed countries(for most people).

Canadian and American health care systems compared

The comparison of the health care systems of Canada and the United States is of great import to both nations. The very different methods of delivering health care allows citizens and politicians to look to the other side of the border for alternatives. In Canada, the United States is used both as a model and as a cautionary warning with regards to increasing private sector involvement in health care. In the United States, Canada's socialized health system is also seen both as model to be followed and as a cautionary warning by different sides of the ideological spectrum.

Government involvement

The two neighbors are a dramatic contrast. Canada has the world's most fully socialized health care system while the United States is the only OECD country not to have some form of guaranteed health insurance.

The governments of both nations are closely involved in the delivery of health care. The central structural difference between the two is in health insurance. In Canada all citizens are guaranteed access to free health care by the Canada Health Act. In the United States health insurance must be paid for privately, in most cases by a person’s employer. However, there are about forty million Americans who do not have health insurance.

Canada's health plan only covers certain areas. Dental care is not covered, and optometry is only covered in some provinces. When compared, the privately managed sectors of the health system have similar rates of participation and treatment in both countries.

Cost of health care

Health care is of the most expensive items of both nations’ budgets. In 2001, in Canada, about 16.2% of government money was spent on health care, while in the United States this number was 17.6%. When exchange rates are included it can be seen that government in the United States spends more per capita on health care than it does in Canada. In 2001, the government of Canada spent $1533 (in US dollars) per person on health care, while in the United States it gave $2168.

Despite the American government paying more per capita, private sources also pay far more for health care in the United States. In Canada an average of $630 dollars is spent annually by individuals or private insurance companies for health care, including dental, eye care, and drugs. In the United States this number is $2719.

In 2001 the United States spent in total 13.6% of its annual GDP on health care. In Canada only 9.5% of the GDP was spent on health care.

Medical professionals

Some of the extra money spent in the United States goes to doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, all of whom are paid far higher salaries south of the border. In Canada billing rates for each procedure are set through negotiations between the provincial governments and the physicians' organizations. In the United States the free market determines the rates, but with some significant influence from the large insurance companies. This leads to much higher salaries in the United States. Some economists have argued that in highly technical matters like health care the free market fails as one group, the doctors, have far more knowledge than the patients. In Canada the government professionals are also experts in the field and thus, the argument goes, fairer rates are set.

One effect of this is a brain drain whereby skilled doctors and nurses, who have trained in Canada partially at the taxpayer's expense, emigrate to the United States to pursue higher salaries. In part due to this problem, Canada has fewer doctors per capita than the United States. In the United States there were 2.8 doctors per 1000 people in 1998 while in Canada only 2.1.

Drugs

Another much higher cost in the United States is that of prescription drugs and medicines. Canada has laws that impose less rigorously medical patents. Generic drugs are thus allowed on Canadian shelves sooner. The Canadian system also takes advantage of centralized buying by the provincial governments that have more market heft and buy in bulk, lowering prices. Also, Canada continues to be a world leader in the research and development of pharmaceuticals.

Litigation

A third important difference is the prevalence of expensive malpractice lawsuits in the United States. These frequently award patients millions of dollars for errors made by doctors. In Canada such lawsuits are very rare. Canadian law gives virtually nothing for pain and suffering, which in the United States is worth millions. Rather Canadian settlements cover future medical care, lost income, and other such expenses. Moreover, in Canada it is illegal for lawyers to work on commission - they must be paid their hourly rate or work pro bono. This greatly reduces the number of lawsuits, and makes it very difficult for the poor to sue.

The document was originally published at Wikipedia and the document is licensed under GNU Free Document License. If you'd like to find out more about obesity, you might be interested in visiting this page in Wikipedia.

temi

Joined: 21 Aug 2004

Location: United Kingdom

Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2004 10:00 pm

Post subject:

Absolutely fascinating, I guess its the nature of the beast, US is a pretty capitalistic country but it will be rather nice for you government to introduce some safety net for the less well off in the society
Temi

iRuleThisForum

Joined: 23 Jul 2004

Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2004 10:37 pm

Post subject:

Healthcare system and welfare system have changed rather dramatically looking back the last 20 years or so. Healthcare system has become a kind of system that you can get the best healthcare if you are wealthy. There is an interesting statistics that, if you just check those who are over 70 years old, Americans have the longest life expectancy, which implies that ...

1. They survived until 70 years old because they are naturally healthy and strong or ...
2. They lived until 70 years old because they could afford the best and greatest healthcare system in the world.

-=Hero Doug=-

Joined: 29 Aug 2004

Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2004 11:04 pm

Post subject:

I really have trouble believing that Americans have the longest life span at early 70's, especially when it's mid 80's in Sweeden (Last I heard).

iRuleThisForum

Joined: 23 Jul 2004

Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2004 11:19 pm

Post subject:

-=Hero Doug=- wrote:

I really have trouble believing that Americans have the longest life span at early 70's, especially when it's mid 80's in Sweeden (Last I heard).

Maybe I got the number wrong, but the point is that you have to be very very healthy without relying on any healthcare, Medicare or you have to be very rich to live long in America.

jzrocker

Joined: 28 Jun 2006

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 2:33 pm

Post subject: please help

I'm trying to do a project about the healthcare system-mostly about insurance. I need to know how the insurance and provider system works. Maybe I'm really bad at research, but I can't seem to find much information. This thread was the best I've found so far. Can anyone explain to me in detail or point me to a resource that could? thanks

iRuleThisForum

Joined: 23 Jul 2004

Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 10:48 am

Post subject: Re: please help

jzrocker wrote:

Can anyone explain to me in detail or point me to a resource that could? thanks

The following article gives a good overview of healthcare in US:

Health care in the United States is provided by many separate legal entities. Current estimations put US health spending at approximately 15% of GDP.

Unlike most Western governments such as Canada or Germany, the U.S. government does not guarantee publicly-funded health care to its citizens. (It is important to note, however, that most government functions in the United States are delegated to the individual states.) If a citizen lacks health insurance, then he must either pay for treatment, or typically be treated at another, cheaper, or sometimes third-rate hospital, or the county hospital. Various government programs for state aid exist to cover some emergency or more long-term care, and the generally high cost of treatment has led to the concept of doctors completing pro bono work in addition to their more high-paying customers, although in practice even serious conditions are left untreated. Health insurance is expensive and medical bills are overwhelmingly the most common reason for personal bankruptcy in the United States.

The overall United States health care performance was ranked 37th by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1997, far below the average of developed nations. In the same year, health level according to the DALE index indicates the United States was ranked 72nd in the world by WHO.; worse than China and comparable to Iraq.

The document was originally published at Wikipedia and the document is licensed under GNU Free Document License. If you'd like to find out more about Health care in the United States, you might be interested in visiting this page in Wikipedia.

If you already read the article or you already know what's in the article, then you should look for other more detailed information, but if not, this is a good place to start.

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