In: Finance
Sol: To compare the financing & organization of the healthcare delivery system in singapore with that of the healthcare delivery system in United States consider the following key points:
1) Government's Role: Since its independence in 1965, singapore has significantly improved its healthcare system.To develop a world class healthcare system, the government introduced a national healthcare plan to provide a roadmap for it for the next 20 years.In 2002, they also launched the eldershied plan to improve the health of the elderly and the disabled.Similarly, the US Government provides a large portion of its money on healthcare facility which includes quality treatment while also reducing its cost.But the US government still needs to provide the same benefit as singapore provided to its elder population to strengthen its healthcare system.
2) Financing/Funding: Some schemes such as eldershield has significantly improved the healthcare system of singapore, on top of that its government also replenishes the funds when there is a budget surplus.While in the US, it is the duty of the employers to provide their employees medical cover as well as under the healthcare regulation Act it ensures that all americans get access to it.Federal & state funds also helps in supporting some healthcare schemes such as medicaid.
3) Cost: Expenditure on healthcare has shown the government's commitment to improve the health status.In 2009, singapore's healthcare expenditure in GDP was 3.9 %.On the other hand, US expenses on healthcare is the highest in its GDP in that year which was 16% which makes it the most efficient economic systems in the world.
4) Quality: Dispite having significantly lower expenditure on healthcare, singaporeans are the healthiest people in the world, this is due to the fact that they assure that the quality of healthcare system is properly maintained.While american healthcare still have some flaws due to administrative inefficiency,underperforming primary care,etc.
5) Accessibility: Singapore provides approx 2000 private hospitals with 80% of primary healthcare needs of the population.The number of doctors & nurses is also large.All in all private healthcare facility is far better than that of govt. ones.In US, community hospitals play a big role in healthcare delivery.They provide both primary & intermediate healthcare facilities.The total capacity of community hospitals is 797,403 beds which is much higher than the federal govt. hospitals.Also they have adequate staffing levels which enables to meet its healthcare needs.