Pros And Cons Of Japan's Health Care System

U.S health care system vs. Japan’s health care system There is no such thing as a perfect health care system, however there are pro’s and con’s depending on which health care system a nation chooses to adopt and implement. The United States health care system is not universal or mandatory yet it is among the top spenders on health care, however the quality of care delivered to patients is among the best in the world. Japan’s health care system is universal and mandatory and they are one of the lowest spenders on health care and are among the healthiest populations with low infant mortality and high life expectancy rates. The United States health care system and Japan’s health care system share similarities and differences which both have advantages and disadvantages for their citizens seeking health care.

One of the similarities that the United States and Japan’s health

“In 2007, U.S. health care spending was about $7,421 per resident and accounted for 16.2% of the nations GDP” (Kaiser). Whereas, Japan’s national expenditure on health is roughly 8% of the nations GDP (Kaiser). However, with such low cost, delivery of medical care would be affected in a negative way. Many physicians in Japan have witnessed hospitals overcrowding due to the fact that every patient is treated too equally and the hospital beds are occupied by less urgent cases and there are no penalties for those who over use the system (Harden). Also, lack of required physicians and nurses on duty affects the quality of care because there are only 1.6 physicians per 1,000 people and 7.8 nurses per 1,000 people whereas the average for physicians are 3.1 and nurses are 8.2 per 1,000 people (Kaiser). Therefore, physicians and nurses become overwhelmed with long hours and overcrowding causing the quality and delivery of medical care to