Hey DUers, need some info on universal health care

[Zalatix]

I'm trying to think of ideas for UHC in America and I'd like to get some objective facts on existing systems in France, Canada and England. I think I have some info on Japan, but wow, there's nothing objective for these other countries. A billion editorials and political opinions but no "these are the benefits, these are the restrictions", etc.

I wonder sometimes, considering how hard it is to find concrete information, if anyone has ever given an informed opinion on these issues.

Ah well, I guess I should just be using Google to find info on the Kardashians. Plenty of stuff on that.

[Spazito]

1. I can give you a good link re Canada's healthcare system...

It is from the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting System) website, it is the best, realistic explanation of the system and laid out in a good format, here is the link:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/healthcare/public_vs_private.html

I hope it helps.

[Zalatix]

2. Thanks, I was starting to wonder if citizens in respective countries had good access to info.

Wouldn't surprise me if it was difficult for everyone worldwide to know their own rights.

[Spazito]

7. It is interesting when one googles the following:

What countries have universal healthcare?

Google seems to be somewhat UScentric when it came to this question as many of the links relate to comparisons between the US and others re the subject but it could be a good starting point for you to find the info you are looking for.

[riderinthestorm]

3. Here are some more links....

For healthcare in the UK, you can go right to the NHS site; http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/HomePage.aspx

Or an overview for you in Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_the_United_Kingdom

I'm Irish. Here's the Irish info page: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/moving_to_ireland/introduction_to_the_irish_system/health_care_in_ireland.html

[REP]

13. Welsh NHS (in English)

http://www.wales.nhs.uk/

[enlightenment]

4. There is also quite a bit of stuff on health care.

Perhaps you just need to change your search phrases. "Universal health care" is not a term usually applied in nations that provide broad-based coverage; nor is 'single-payer'. Because they have systems in place, they tend to refer to them by that name, or some shorthand form.

In the UK, they have a National Health Service (NHS). They refer to it as the NHS or, sometimes, as the "health service/s". The NHS in Scotland and Wales differs slightly from that in England, because they have some autonomy in how they use the money coming in to fund the services. In Ireland is it called the NHC, instead, and also differs slightly, but it is all the same broad body.

Here is a link to a very comprehensive guide, both historical and modern that should answer many of your questions.
http://www.nhshistory.net/a_guide_to_the_nhs.htm

You might also want to look here:
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/Pages/NHSServices.aspx

NHS Choices is the government portal for the NHS in England.

Someone already offered up Canada, I believe. I don't know much about France, but this 2003 article might give you a head-start:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1447687/

[Zalatix]

8. Well, there was my problem right there!

First I need to know what they're called, lol.

BTW what do they call our system? The Stone Age?

[enlightenment]

9. A national embarrassment.

That's what I call it, anyway . . .


Sorry about the teacher mode stuff - one of the things I teach is research and it seeps out on occasion.

Hope you find what you need!

[subterranean]

5. I only have first-hand knowledge of the system in Japan.

I know the systems in the three other countries you mentioned are all different. Are you looking for info on the structure of the systems, or just what benefits they cover? Japanese health insurance includes dental and prescription drug coverage, but the system in Canada does not. In countries with universal health care, people are free to go to any doctor they want, though some have a gatekeeper system for specialists. In Japan there's a 30 percent co-payment, whereas Canada and the U.K. are free at the point of service. I believe in France, people are charged a very small co-payment. And the best thing is, in all of those countries, there are NO DEDUCTIBLES!

A good book describing the systems in France, Canada, the U.K., Germany and Japan is "The Healing of America" by T.R. Reid. Check your local library.
Or watch the related Frontline documentary here:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundtheworld/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundtheworld/countries/

[DeathToTheOil]

6. As a Canadian, I can tell you:

DON'T DO IT, AMERICA! IT'S HORRIBLE! THE DEATH PANELS ARE---MMPH! MMPH!!!

[Whisp]

11. :)

What I hear the Pugs say about Canadian health care - government tells you what doctor you can see, etc. bullshit, makes me feel so sorry for our southern neighbours because a lot of people actually think we have a bad system. It sure has it's flaws but that is the way for everything.

I could not imagine worrying about paying enormous health bills or huge premiums the size of a mortgage. Thanking Tommy Douglas regularly.

[Zalatix]

12. Yet Sarah Palin came to Alaska for free health care. Go figure.

[DeathToTheOil]

15. You mean the Yukon

Hmm, I'm not sure if the Klondikers want the anymore or not. Maybe it's just Yukon, now.

[muriel_volestrangler]

10. Here's a good report on 14 countries, including the ones you want

http://www.commonwealthfund.org/~/media/Files/Publications/Fund%20Report/2011/Nov/1562_Squires_Intl_Profiles_2011_11_10.pdf

120 page PDF.

[eridani]

14. For a good cross-national comparison--

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T.R._Reid

--try TR Reid's The Healing of America.