The Truth About Health Care Reform - International Comparisons P4

International Comparisons

For a quick comparison of the United States health care system with other OECD countries, we have constructed the following tables.

Please click on the links below to see a side-by-side comparison of different health care systems:

Acknowledgements:International Healthcare Systems Primer, American Medical Student Association; www.amsa.org/uhc/IHSprimer.pdf

Type of System	- Single Payer; Universal - Not true socialized health care, as most physicians are private and do not work for government - Private insurance exists only for services not covered by the public insurance system	Multi-Payer
Country's Contribution (public spending on health care)	- $2,765/person - 71% of ALL medical expenses	- $3,353/person - 46% of ALL medical expenses
Individual's Contribution	- Cost for dental care (unless in hospital) - Cost for eye care for individuals between 20-65 years old - Outpatient prescription drugs - Average out of pocket costs: $545/year	- Average individual insurance premium: $4,242/year - Average out of pocket costs: $802/year APPROXIMATE TOTAL: $5,044/year
Benefits in public system	- Coverage for ALL hospital and doctor services; no guaranteed coverage of prescription drugs or dental	- No benefits provided by the Government unless individuals qualify for Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP, or VA; benefits in these systems can be comprehensive
Choice	- Free choice of where to receive care, free choice of doctor	- Choice of where to receive care and choice of doctor often limited by insurance restrictions

Type of System	- Single Payer; Universal - Socialized health care: doctors work for government and hospitals are owned by government	Multi-Payer
Country's Contribution (public spending on health care)	- $3,323/person - 98% of ALL medical expenses	- $3,353/person - 46% of ALL medical expenses
Individual's Contribution	- Small fees for seeing doctors and prescription drugs; these costs are capped up to an annual maximum - Dental care after the age of 18	- Average individual insurance premium: $4,242/year - Average out of pocket costs: $802/year APPROXIMATE TOTAL: $5,044/year
Benefits in public system	- Generally comprehensive coverage	- No benefits provided by the Government unless individuals qualify for Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP, or VA; benefits in these systems can be comprehensive
Choice	- Free choice of where to receive care, free choice of doctor	- Choice of where to receive care and choice of doctor often limited by insurance restrictions

Type of System	- Single Payer: Universal - Socialized health care: doctors work for government and hospitals are owned by government - Optional supplemental private insurance	Multi-Payer
Country's Contribution (public spending on health care)	- $2,603/person - 80% of ALL medical expenses	- $3,353/person - 46% of ALL medical expenses
Individual's Contribution	- Some costs for dental, eye, and long-term care) - Pharmaceutical drug co-pays	- Average individual insurance premium: $4,242/year - Average out of pocket costs: $802/year APPROXIMATE TOTAL: $5,044/year
Benefits in public system	- Generally comprehensive coverage	- No benefits provided by the Government unless individuals qualify for Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP, or VA; benefits in these systems can be comprehensive -
Choice	- Free choice of where to receive care, free choice of doctor	- Choice of where to receive care and choice of doctor often limited by insurance restrictions

Type of System	Multi Payer: - Multiple “Sickness Insurance Funds” provide insurance; There are different funds for different occupations - Private supplemental insurance available to reimburse out-of-pocket expenses	Multi-Payer
Country's Contribution (public spending on health care)	- $2,845/person - 79% of ALL medical expenses	- $3,353/person - 46% of ALL medical expenses
Individual's Contribution	- Co-pays for many services such as doctor visits and drugs, but most French citizens have supplemental insurance to cover these out-of-pocket costs	- Average individual insurance premium: $4,242/year - Average out of pocket costs: $802/year APPROXIMATE TOTAL: $5,044/year
Benefits in public system	- Generally comprehensive coverage	- No benefits provided by the Government unless individuals qualify for Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP, or VA; benefits in these systems can be comprehensive
Choice	- Free choice of where to receive care, free choice of doctor	- Choice of where to receive care and choice of doctor often limited by insurance restrictions

Type of System	Multi Payer; Universal - Most Japanese people receive insurance through employer-based insurance associations (“Kenpo” associations) - There is a public insurance program for the elderly, as well as another public program for the self-employed and retired	Multi-Payer
Country's Contribution (public spending on health care)	- $2,142/person - 83% of ALL medical expenses	- $3,353/person - 46% of ALL medical expenses
Individual's Contribution	- Relatively high cost sharing, with as much as 10-30% co-payment rates	- Average individual insurance premium: $4,242/year - Average out of pocket costs: $802/year APPROXIMATE TOTAL: $5,044/year
Benefits in public system	- Generally comprehensive coverage	- No benefits provided by the Government unless individuals qualify for Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP, or VA; benefits in these systems can be comprehensive A
Choice	- Free choice of where to receive care, free choice of doctor	- Choice of where to receive care and choice of doctor often limited by insurance restrictions

Type of System	- Multi Payer; Universal - “Social Health Insurance” (SHI) model – the vast majority of the population receives insurance through an occupation-dependent “sickness fund” that is funded through payroll taxes - High income earners can opt out of SHI and buy private insurance - A small percentage of people obtain free government health care	Multi-Payer
Country's Contribution (public spending on health care)	- $2,763/person - 77% of ALL medical expenses	- $3,353/person - 46% of ALL medical expenses
Individual's Contribution	- Out-of-pocket costs for certain services, including drugs - However, there is a cap of 2% of gross income for an individual	- Average individual insurance premium: $4,242/year - Average out of pocket costs: $802/year APPROXIMATE TOTAL: $5,044/year
Benefits in public system	- Generally comprehensive coverage	- No benefits provided by the Government unless individuals qualify for Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP, or VA; benefits in these systems can be comprehensive
Choice	- Free choice of doctor - Sometimes, citizens may have to use closest hospital for non-emergency care	- Choice of where to receive care and choice of doctor often limited by insurance restrictions

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