Through out the world today health care is a major issue in just about every country. Britain and France are no exception to this rule. Since a very long time ago there have been long standing battles between the people and governments as to how far the governments must go to provide adequate health care for its people. For the upper and middle classes health care usually comes with no problem but for the lower classes they are forced to depend on government assistance.
In France health policy making takes place largely at the national level. These actions revolve completely around two agencies called the social security and the finance. I found that international health care can be very different but at the same time very similar to the United States and in the following paragraphs you will see why.
French citizens have had comprehensive health coverage for many years, and France can be looked upon as an example of an active system. The French healthcare system is based on free enterprise and the freedom for patients to choose their own doctors. Securité sociale, the compulsory health insurance plan in France, finances or reimburses the health care of almost all French citizens. Taxes are deducted from workers' paychecks and, after medical visits or pharmaceutical purchases, the government reimburses recipients anywhere from 60 to 100 percent of their medical expenses. Complementary coverage is also available for an extra charge. Most doctors (about 99 percent) sign an agreement with securité sociale setting the rates of their services, but some doctors may charge higher fees. #
Health care is accessible and affordable for French citizens, but is more costly for the government. As in the United States, the social security system faces a constantly increasing deficit, resulting in a quest for new ways to fund medical care. Currently, French health care policy is looking for a reform mechanism that will create a more affordable system without losing the ideals of free enterprise, freedom of patient choice and a quality system accessible to all French citizens.
Pharmacies in France are specialized facilities which work closely with clients, ensuring safe products and providing professional advice. Pharmaceutic...
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...split over the question of collaboration with the private sector. Although 58% of respondents thought there should be "a fair amount" or "a great deal" of collaboration between the public and private sectors, 36% did not look upon such a relationship favourably.
When asked where the money should come from to fund the NHS, 83% of respondents said the funds should come "almost entirely" from tax revenue.
In Conclusion, the health care systems in both countries have their strong points as well as their weaknesses but I would still much rather have our own health care system. I hope these facts about the different systems will help you better understand them.
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An analysis of the US and Canada’s systems reveals advantages and drawbacks within each structure. While it is apparent that both countries could benefit from the adoption of portions of the others system, Canada’s healthcare system offers several benefits over the US system.
Health care in France and The United States: Learning from each other. Paul V. Dutton, Associate Professor of European History, Northern Arizona University Research Fellow, HHS Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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During the study of various reforms that were proposed and denied, both the GOP and Democrats attempted to find a balance that would guarantee the success of their proposals. Years of research, growing ideologies, political views and disregard for the country's constitution sparked an array of alternatives to solve the country's healthcare spending. The expenditure of US healthcare dollars was mostly due to hospital reimbursements, which constitute to 30% (Longest & Darr, 2008). During the research for alternatives, the gr...
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During the second half of the twentieth-century, French politicians continued to expand the French National Health Insurance, or NHI, throughout the French population. In 2000, the last 1% of the population was reached (Rodwin 1). Additionally, 8% of the population was given supplementary care during this time all of which were under the “income ceiling” (Rodwin 1). Therefore, every person in France has insurance, no matter his or her income; in fact, health insurance is compulsory. While universality is not exclusive to the French system, it is certainly a factor that not all countries can boast. By giving universal healthcare, the French system prevents great disparities in levels of health around the country and creates a more equal
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In France, healthcare relies on the “preferred doctor” scheme, which “represents a soft form of gatekeeping.” Patients would generally obtain a diagnosis with their GP, and then are referred to specialists for further care. However, patients have the option to neglect their GP’s referrals and instead take advantage of “direct access to specialists or other GP’s” (Chevreul K 75).There are no networks of doctors and hospital, as is the case in the American healthcare system, although patients seek other providers would only face “lower levels of reimbursements” (Chevreul K 54). As a result of France’s universal healthcare system at the statutory level, patients are not restricted by the doctor and hospital networks, whereas American patients are coerced to choose a provider as dictated by their private insurance. As a result, “France is generally perceived as a country with an extensive patient choice,” bolstered by the fundamental principle that it is “a patient’s right to choose [a] health professional and hospital” (Chevreul K
During the course of conducting research, reality is that there is no clearly defined system, that would adequately address our nation’s requirements in implementing a universal policy. Each nation’s health system on a global scale faces a myriad of issues regardless of the health care policy being utilized. Yes, some are more favorable than others, but all, regardless of the applied policy are facing a crisis with costs and the ability to continuous financing of said programs.
Switzerland is predominately known for its great health care, rated as best in the world. This is largely due to how it is organized. Reorganization began in the 1994 with the Federal Heath Insurance Act, which came effect in 1996. The system is basically organized into 26 cantons, which are equivalent to US states. Each canton is responsible for the health care of the people in that region and insurance companies operate on a regional basis (James). The government decides on what policies will be covered, and sets prices of the cost of medial charges (McManus). In addition, with in the system there is a complex way with how access, quality and cost are organized.