Are there other any industrialized, so-called "First World" nations without state-run health care?

[OmahaBlueDog]

Aside from us....If so, can you let me know which nation?

[EFerrari]

1. I think it's just us. n/t

[OmahaBlueDog]

2. Seriously, me too, but I'm not well travelled

[Occam Bandage]

10. We're the only industrialized nation with non-universal health care,

but several European nations have universal private insurance with government backing, instead of universal single payer.

[OmahaBlueDog]

11. I've been told some (Ireland) have private insurance upsells to supplement the universal plan

I'd like to know how that works

[Occam Bandage]

14. Many nations have private insurance/care as well as government-run insurance/care.

[Political Heretic]

3. Out of at least the top 20, I believe it is just us

I should say "top"

[Stinky The Clown]

4. Well .... there's us .......... and ......... uh ......... hmmmmph ......

... s'all I got. :shrug:

[OmahaBlueDog]

5. So..Japan, Italy, Germany....France, England, Russia...Austria, Norway, Sweeden, Switzerland, Spain

Portugal, Denmark, BeNeLux....they all got this thing?

[Stinky The Clown]

12. If you're relying on me as an expert ........

.... you're in deep doo doo! :)

[Kat45]

6. Nope. n/t

[Occam Bandage]

7. Germany is universal, compulsary, and non-state-run.

From Wiki: Germany has a universal multi-payer system with two main types of health insurance: "State health insurance" (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) known as sickness funds and "Private" (Private Krankenversicherung).<17><18><19> Compulsory insurance applies to those below a set income level is provided through private non-profit "sickness funds" at common rates for all members, and is paid for with joint employer-employee contributions. Provider compensation rates are negotiated in complex corporatist social bargaining among specified autonomously organized interest groups (e.g. physicians' associations) at the level of federal states (Länder). The sickness funds are mandated to provide a wide range of coverages and cannot refuse membership or otherwise discriminate on an actuarial basis. Small numbers of persons are covered by tax-funded government employee insurance or social welfare insurance. Persons with incomes above the prescribed compulsory insurance level may opt into the sickness fund system, which a majority do, or purchase private insurance. Private supplementary insurance to the sickness funds of various sorts is available. In 2005, Germany spent 10.7% of GDP on health care, or US$3,628 per capita. Of that, approximately 77% was government expenditure.<12>

[OmahaBlueDog]

13. What % of GDP are we up to now?

Something like 15%, isn't it?

[Occam Bandage]

15. 15%, yes.

The Wiki page with a summary of each nation's health care system may be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_care_system

[OmahaBlueDog]

16. How nice. 15.3% uninsured, and we spend 15.2% of our GDP

It's so convenient, and easy to remember that way.


:sarcasm:


Thanks for the link and the confirmation that my memory hasn't gone all to Hell.

[Bigmack]

18. I have an elderly German friend, and she

NEVER STOPS singing the praises of the German health care system. She's recently had hip replacement surgery AND two years ago, was treated - apparently successfully - for bladder cancer (had her bladder removed). She's a real gutsy player. You'd have to tie her down with ropes to prevent her from hiking several miles most days! The tales she tells us of her treatment in the German health care system leave us green with envy. When I told her that when my 82 year-old mother had a breast removed because of breast cancer, and was sent home from the hospital THE SAME DAY, she was agast....as of course were we when it happened. Ms Bigmack

[Occam Bandage]

8. Netherlands is universal, compulsary, and non-state-run for people over 18.

Health care in the Netherlands, has since January 2006 been provided by a system of compulsory insurance backed by a risk equalization program so that the insured are not penalized for their age or health status. This is meant to encourage competition between healthcare providers and insurers. Children under 18 are insured by the government, and special assistance is available to those with limited incomes. In 2005, the Netherlands spent 9.2% of GDP on health care, or US$3,560 per capita. Of that, approximately 65% was government expenditure.<12>

[subterranean]

9. I think the Netherlands comes the closest.

Their system is state-regulated, but not state-run. They switched to a private health insurance system in 2006. Coverage is mandatory, and the insurance companies are required to offer a government-prescribed package of benefits to anyone who applies (they can also sell supplementary policies, which are optional). The premiums for the basic plan are set at a flat rate, and the government provides subsidies for those who can't afford it. The government also compensates insurance companies that end up with a disproportionate share of high-risk customers.

[irislake]

17. I'm pretty sure the U.S alone

permits the Insurance Industry to rake off a nice profit from sick and vulnerable. Americans think "the right to bear arms" is more important than the right to have affordable health care.

Just joking.

Noam Chomsky says polls show that a HUGE majority of Americans want government funded health care but the politicians of both parties are controlled by Big Pharma and the Insurance industry. So good luck.

Too bad you don't have more Kuciniches!

[OmahaBlueDog]

19. I don't think it's a joke

I think you're right, and while I have full respect for the second amendment, I'd assert that promoting the general welfare (as stated in the preamble) ranks right up there.

The other problem is this: how can the US economy continue to compete if we're dropping 33% more than every other decent nation on earth on healthcare?

[OHdem10]

20. All First World or Developed Nations have Healthcare run by the State

This means in those countries Business does not have to shoulder
the expense of Health Care. This is what has put the Auto Industry
at a disadvantage.