Question

Answer this in as much detail as possible.

Just say in USA the government decided to have universal healthcare for all. They did this by funding the entire cost of healthcare and health insurance in a universal healthcare system similar to the NHS of England. Discuss the role of providers in this NHS like universal healthcare system and discuss the role of consumers (people receiving healthcare)? Discuss how health care would be paid for in this NHS like universal healthcare system? Discuss the advantage of the NHS universal healthcare system over the existing free market one currently in the US?

Answer 1

INTRODUCTION

National Health Service (NHS) is the healthcare system in England funded publically. It is one of the four National Health Service systems in the United Kingdom. Firstly funded by the government from general taxation and a small amount from National Insurance contributions, and overseen by the Department of Health and Social Care, the NHS provides healthcare to all legal English residents and residents from other regions of the UK, with most services free at the point of use. This provides the majority of healthcare in England, including primary care, in-patient care, long-term healthcare, ophthalmology and dentistry.

UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IN US

The U.S. has a health care system based on insurance coverage. The majority of the population is covered by private/employer-based insurance. Mostly the employer pays a major part of the insurance premium and the individual pays a deductible when the policy is used. If there are losses, the company and employee share the burden. The main limitation of employer based insurance is that those who are unemployed, elderly, or disabled are not covered. The government deals with this insufficient coverage through public insurance programs developed under the Social Security Amendments of 1965. This amendment created both Medicare and Medicaid.

Now the crisis in the US health care system can be viewed as twofold, with escalating costs making up one major concern, and restricted access to health care for millions of Americans the other primary problem.

ROLE OF PROVIDERS IN UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN US

The US is adopting a Universal Health plan, all Americans would be covered by public health insurance, regardless of income, age, or employment status. The insurance would provide all citizens with basic services, including hospital and physician care and long term care. This system would be fully regulated by the government, provides all fees for hospitals, physicians, and other health care providers. The payment of services could be organized in two ways.

Single payer approach, the health care of citizens would be financed solely through public funds generated through tax revenues. Medicaid and Medicare would be for a new program and private insurance would only be used when individuals wished to buy insurance beyond the scope of the publicly available program.

Multiple payer approach, the current mix of public and private insurance would be maintained and Medicaid would simply be expanded to include the currently uninsured. Those who can afford private insurance would not be offered public insurance and would still be expected to pay for their own insurance.