Out of the three nations I chose to examine, Europe proved to have the best and most cost effective health care overall. While studying Europe, I mostly analyzed the UK's system, though I can say that most – if not, all – of the health care in other countries throughout Western Europe are basically similar to the UK, in that they all boast of socialized medicine. “Socialized medicine” is the term used to describe publicly administered health care systems, like those in many European countries. These countries do not offer insurance for care; instead, they offer access to a system of care. The taxes paid for by European citizens effectively entitle them to free health care. However, their taxes are high in order to compensate for the health care costs.
Some countries carry a sales tax as high as 25%, though most are in the 15 to 20% range. This allows for government funding of virtually free health care to all its citizens and creates a sense of social solidarity, considering the fact that all citizens contribute to a sickness fund. Many European countries, including the UK, have what is called the National Health Service, which is the fund that all of their taxes are paid into and then utilized for health care costs.
[...] For nonurgent, they would never have to wait more than 2 days. No one would ever have to wait weeks for anything, be it a blood test or a medication review or whatever. I know this is not the same in all parts of the UK though, I work at a small rural practice so we probably have more time for our patients than bigger surgeries.” - mylastbreath, from the U.K., 4/22/07 “Holland and France both have really good healthcare. [...]
[...] The good, the bad, and the ugly: Health care comparisons of three nations The Good: Europe Out of the three nations I chose to examine, Europe proved to have the best and most cost effective health care overall. While studying Europe, I mostly analyzed the UK's system, though I can say that most – if not, all – of the health care in other countries throughout Western Europe are basically similar to the UK, in that they all boast of socialized medicine. [...]
[...] The Bad: America America has one of the worst health care systems in the world. Most health care is obtained through private insurance, with the exception of some state funded programs, like Medicaid and Medicare. I find it unnecessary to go through American policy, due to our familiarity with it. However, there are some important things that I would like to note. More than 15% of the entire American population is uninsured at any given time. The US ranks # 37 on the World Health Organization's countries for quality health care, yet #1 for the most money spent on health care. [...]
[...] While the system in the US is far from efficient and badly in need of repair, it is evident that the Chinese suffer the worst when it comes to their physical well-being and health. Europeans are, by far, the most privileged. References Baertlein, L. Health care crisis squeezes families. Retrieved May 23, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070523/hl_nm/usa_health_uninsured_dc_3 Forney, M. (2003). China's Failing Health System. Time, May 12, 2003. Fox, M. (2007). U.S. healthcare expensive, inefficient: report. Retrieved May 15, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/healthcare_usa_dc French, H. W. (2006). Wealth Grows, but Health Care Withers in China. The New York Times, January 14, 2006. [...]
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