As industrialized democracies have well advanced in its post-modernization, there has been growing concern regarding the well being of their citizens, in which special attention has gone to the health care system. Due to its sensitivity and inclination to market failures, health care has long been the domain where the governments have their extensive control (Chernichovsky 1995). There are different paths in health care system design that the governments can follow, which can be divided into two categories—National Health Service financed by state budget, and Social Insurance System contributed by individual payrolls. It is noteworthy that each type of health care system has its own strengths and weaknesses, and there is no pure form of either National Health Service or National Insurance System existing. Different historical contexts with their distinct political and socio-economic traits call for different hybrid forms. Reforms of health care system, therefore, are of essential importance.
On the same topic, this essay aims at providing insights into the health care reforms of the developed countries. First of all, in the first part, it acknowledges that health care systems are variable across borders, yet classifiable due to their generally identical ends. Afterwards, the second part presents an attempt to define the underlying forces behind the reform process. The third part goes into greater details of health care reform in terms of their directions, and analyse the cases of Germany and Sweden for a better understanding of such processes in case of National Health Service and National Insurance System. Finally, the essay ends with some general remarks and proposals for the future of health care reforms.
Introduction
As industrialized democracies have well advanced in its post-modernization, there has been growing concern regarding the well being of their citizens, in which special attention has gone to the health care system. Due to its sensitivity and inclination to market failures, health care has long been the domain where the governments have their extensive control (Chernichovsky 1995). There are different paths in health care system design that the governments can follow, which can be divided into two categories—National Health Service financed by state budget, and Social Insurance System contributed by individual payrolls. It is noteworthy that each type of health care system has its own strengths and weaknesses, and there is no pure form of either National Health Service or National Insurance System existing. Different historical contexts with their distinct political and socio-economic traits call for different hybrid forms. Reforms of health care system, therefore, are of essential importance.
On the same topic, this essay aims at providing insights into the health care reforms of the developed countries. First of all, in the first part, it acknowledges that health care systems are variable across borders, yet classifiable due to their generally identical ends. Afterwards, the second part presents an attempt to define the underlying forces behind the reform process. The third part goes into greater details of health care reform in terms of their directions, and analyse the cases of Germany and Sweden for a better understanding of such processes in case of National Health Service and National Insurance System. Finally, the essay ends with some general remarks and proposals for the future of health care reforms.
Health Care Systems in Industrialized Democracies: The Premise
Along with the spread of democracy and welfare state after the Great Wars, the establishment and development of health care systems have become one of the main concerns among the developed countries. Heath care systems are highly subject to specific national characteristics, and typically tailored according to countries’ differentiated priority in ensuring citizens’ wellbeing. Its variability across borders has been reinforced as health care, due to its encompassing scope and growing importance, become an arena of national political and economic struggles over scarce resources. There is no single universal fit-for-all model of health care system; nevertheless, differentiated heath care systems gear towards identical ends of equity, quality and cost containment by means of creating medical public funds and organizing the delivery of such funds (Blank & Burau 2004).
Frequently asked questions
What is the main topic discussed in this text?
The text discusses health care reforms in industrialized democracies, focusing on different health care system models and the underlying forces behind reform processes.
What are the two main types of health care systems mentioned?
The two main types are National Health Service (NHS), financed by state budget, and Social Insurance System (SIS), contributed by individual payrolls.
How does the text classify health care systems?
The text classifies health care systems along a continuum from private and market-oriented to public and state-oriented. NHS falls towards the public/state end, while SIS is positioned more towards the private/market end.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of NHS?
NHS promotes financial equity but may suffer from long waiting lists, questionable facility quality, inefficient management, and limited choices.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of SIS?
SIS offers flexibility and a patient-oriented approach but may create inequity, cost pressure, oversupply, and overconsumption.
Why are health care reforms necessary?
Health care reforms are necessary due to public and policy-makers' dissatisfaction with both NHS and SIS, necessitating systematic improvement and even reconstruction of health policies.
What are the ultimate goals of any health care system?
Despite their differences, differentiated health care systems gear towards identical ends of equity, quality and cost containment.
What countries are used as examples for each type of health care system?
The UK, Italy, and Sweden are examples of countries with National Health Service (NHS), while France and Germany are examples of countries with Social Insurance System (SIS).
- Quote paper
- Kim H. Bui (Author), 2011, Health Care Reforms in Industrialized Democracies: Sweden and Germany, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/207048
