Health Care System Essay

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The health care system in the United States is considered the most expensive system in the world although it underachieves in different areas, such as effective care, lack of access due to cost-related issues, and efficiency. However, it has the most sophisticated healthcare system in the world, investing heavily in research and technology. Currently, the United States spends 17.1% on health care as a percentage of GDP, while other developed countries, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and France spend 9.1%, 10.9%, and 11.7%, respectively (The World Bank, 2015). The United States has relatively higher costs mainly due to the fragmented health care system, not being a single payor but a multiple chain of participants. Due to this, a wide number …show more content…

Overall, the United Kingdom’s health care system should be of example to the United States in access to healthcare in terms of cost and quality care. Switzerland has an exceptional access to healthcare in a timely manner and access to health care no matter the cost. Despite the technology and specialized care the United States offers, it does not add up to the fact that individuals are less healthier than in countries such as Japan and Spain, where individuals live the longest. Overall, it seems like turbulent times for the United States to become an exemplary health care system to the rest of the world but with the passing of the Affordable Care Act, according to Karen Davis, “The U.S. performance on insurance coverage and access to care should begin to improve, particularly for low-income Americans” (The Commonwealth Fund, 2014). It is also focusing on primary care, which should improve the overall health of Americans and in turn, lower …show more content…

is the overuse of medical care due in partly to lack of preventative care. For example, “86% of all health care spending in 2010 was for people with one or more chronic medical conditions,” that could have been prevented (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). The U.S. should take in consideration the preventative care done in Japan. Japan is the country with the highest life expectancy at birth, averaging over 80 years of age. Japan has enforceable preventative measures that are publicly provided to middle-aged adults. It has developed an integrated community care system to ensure that the elderly population by having “various support services, including medical care, long-term care, preventative care, and welfare services” (Anderson, Mossialos, Osborn, & Wenzl,

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