Healthcare Systems

A Comparison of Japan, Taiwan & U.S Health Care Systems

A Comparison of Japan, Taiwan & U.S Health Care Systems

Inroduction

Health systems and social protection can be grouped into four models: the Bismarck model, the model Beveridge Semashko system, the system of market economy. The health system of some countries, like Belgium or the Netherlands, is a mixed system based on two systems. Outside of Europe, Canada has a system of decentralized but inspiration Beveridge (unlike the UK). Japan has a compulsory health insurance and universal, but with a professional membership scheme based on the German model. It should be noted here that there is no single definition of what might comprise a national health system. According to world health organization (WHO 2000), for example, it comprises all activities whose primary purpose is to restore and maintain health…improving the health of the population they serve, responding to people's expectations, and providing financial protection against the costs of ill-health (Carrin et al 2009)

The Bismarck model

This system is also called "professional" because it is funded by labor and social security contributions. It was introduced in Germany in the late nineteenth century under the influence of Bismarck. This system relies on health insurance financed mainly by social contributions and managed by the companies and workers. Health insurance is thus linked to work. For its part, the state has the task of ensuring the well being of citizens. It must set the framework for action fund, and redress in cases of financial imbalance. Since the 70s, the majority of countries who were inspired by the model are put in place measures to make access to care more universal.

The Beveridge model

This system is also called "national" because the tutelage of health services and funding are provided by the same organization, which depends on the state. This model was introduced in Great Britain after the Second World War under the aegis of Lord Beveridge. Denmark, Finland, Ireland and Sweden have adopted the foundations of this model.

Inspired by the Social Democrats, this model is based on universal access to health care and taxation on health spending. It rests on three basic principles, Uniformity, Universality, and single unit administration of all health issues.

The American liberal system

The basic principle of American health care system is that health is the individual responsibility and private insurance. This principle is translated into practice by:

- The absence of a compulsory national

- The predominance of private actors (two-thirds of Americans under 65 are covered by insurance linked to employment)

- Support public concerns only the oldest and poorest.

For all the local variations, health care systems tend to follow general patterns.Beveridge Model countries tend to have robust public health programs.

The National Health Insurance Model

This system combines both Beveridge and Bismarck elements. Not only does it employ the private care providers, but payment also is funded through a state run insurance program which operates on payments by every citizen. As marketing is not needed at all, and no claims ...