ObamaCare’s Relentless Creation of Second-Class Citizens (5)

[HiPointDem]

88. japanese system is not 'based upon private insurance funds,' for starters. other huge

differences:

1. Health insurance is, in general, mandatory for residents of Japan, though there is no penalty on individuals who choose not to comply, and around 10% of the population does not enroll.

2. People without insurance through employers can participate in a national health insurance program administered by local governments. National Health Insurance (Kokumin-Kenkō-Hoken) is one of the two major types of insurance programs available in Japan. The other is Employees' Health Insurance (Kenkō-Hoken?). National Health insurance is designed for people who are not eligible to be members of any employment-based health insurance program. Although private insurance is also available, all Japanese citizens, permanent residents, and any non-Japanese residing in Japan with a visa lasting one year or longer are required to be enrolled in either National Health Insurance or Employees' Health Insurance.

3. Public health insurance covers most citizens/residents and the system pays 70% or more of medical and prescription drug costs with the remainder being covered by the patient (upper limits apply).

4. Since all individuals are covered by one of Japan’s health insurance programs, all of the plans are virtually the same in terms of benefits. Therefore, although an individual’s coinsurance may vary in amount – ranging from 10%-30% – the services offered do not.

5. Premiums are based on income and ability to pay.

6. Hospitals, by law, must be run as non-profit and be managed by physicians. For-profit corporations are not allowed to own or operate hospitals.

7. Medical fees are strictly regulated by the government to keep them affordable.

8. There are basically no medical charges for children whose parents pay into public health insurance, and each local government sets its own age limit.

9. Fees for all health care services are set every two years by negotiations between the health ministry and physicians. The negotiations determine the fee for every medical procedure and medication, and fees are identical across the country. Thus, as of 2009, in the U.S. an MRI of the neck region could cost $1,500, but in Japan it cost US$98.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_care_system_in_Japan

http://www.kaiseredu.org/Issue-Modules/International-Health-Systems/Japan.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Health_Insurance_%28Japan%29


Nor did the Japanese system start out by making private insurance primary. It started out as a system financed through LABOR UNIONS.

Japan’s first health insurance system was introduced in 1922. It took effect from 1927 to cover laborers and in 1938 was extended to cover farmers also.[4] The system originated from labor unions representing workers in dangerous industries, and over time was gradually extended so that currently all Japanese citizens and residents should be covered.