Amidst heated debates over which health care reform bill is right for the people of the United States, a study has been recently conducted by The Commonwealth Fund in Australia that has found the US's health system ranks worst amongst the other leading countries in the world. From best to worst, the United Kingdom's health care system is number one in the world, followed by Australia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, Canada, France, and finally the United States. This may come as a surprise as we also seem to be the country that pays the most for health coverage while Australia pays the least, according to the study.
Even President Trump has stated that Australia's health care system is far superior to ours. What should we do about our failing health system and how will this go against the new #Trumpcare that is set to take place any time now within Congress?
Our current healthcare crisis
The U.S. Health Care Act, which was drafted by the Trump administration, is set to replace the current Obamacare plan that has enabled millions to acquire health insurance. What has most people stirring is the dire impact this new health care plan could have on the millions who are now covered. The plan could potentially leave millions uncovered as it is set to cut spending budgets for Medicaid as well as increasing rates for private health care insurance.
With an all Republican Congress, the health care budget could be set to pass anytime soon, which would leave the fates of millions at stake.
Lessons for the U.S.
The study conducted by Australia offered viable strategies for the U.S. to restructure its health care system. One strategy they offer is the famed universal coverage through different payment and organizational approaches.
There are three systems within this category that they list as beneficial and essential to their universal coverage: Beveridge, single-player, and multiplayer systems. Through the Beveridge system, healthcare would be financed by the government through tax payments, much like most public places are in the country. The single-payer system allows a public agency to fund the health care but the delivery of such care would remain in private hands.
Finally, a multiplayer system has the public choose between multiple health care insurers who are competing for business. If we can find some way of working these models into our system, then a brighter future awaits the United States and her citizens.
