Also, the budgets and laws of the 50 states and the federal government, and the perplexing economics of healthcare -- one of the largest and most complex industries of the 21st century are crucial determinants of an attempt to learn from other advanced countries.
Notably, every other industrialized country has national healthcare, whereas around 15 percent of Americans are uninsured, sandwiched between employer-sponsored health insurance plans, individual policies and government coverage, mainly Medicare and Medicaid.
However, the American healthcare system has the breast cancer survival rate that is higher than that of nearly all other industrialized countries. However the life expectancy in US is much lower at 77.5 years on average, Britons are likely to reach 78.5, the French 79.4, Canadians 79.9 and Japanese 81.8, according to data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Healthcare Expenditure Dissimilarity Among Nations Are Severe
In 2004, Britain spent $2,508 per person on healthcare, against France’s $3,159 and Canada’s $3,165, according to the OECD data, whereas the costs’ of healthcare per American is a stunning $6,102.
The cost differences may depend on when a nation opts for a single-payer system, it can expect healthy savings, for instance, by non-complicating administration and removing private insurers’ sky-high marketing costs.
Culture Reflects Evolution of Our Healthcare System
Americans diverge from people in other countries in their willingness to agree to when it comes to healthcare. Where France would go on mayhem at what Americans agree to the restrictions imposed by HMOs and other managed-care systems.
Prosperous Americans are adapted to getting what they want, when they want it, be it buying consumer goods or medical services.
Burgeoning Role of Market Forces, a Boon or a Curse?
If US do ultimately approve a system of universal healthcare, it will possibly follow the lead of the majority of industrialized countries that allow individuals to pay extra for medical services not covered. This is why elderly Americans opt to buy supplementary insurance to take care of what is left by Medicare, but this can trigger ever rising healthcare costs. Allowing greater patient choice or to reduce waiting times for in-demand procedures costs may rise rapidly. As the facts suggest that competition and free markets make prices go up.
