We are starting a series on our blog on what other countries’ health care systems look like.   Significant misinformation exists on other health systems, so we thought we would start by taking a look at a few key countries that operate most like the US.  Anne Kinzel, JD, has been writing about France.  She has one more post on that, but we wanted to start with some other countries as well.  Basically, covering everyone is not rocket science.  It does, however, take political courage and public will.

Before we take a look at these systems, here is what many of them have that we do not:

• One national agency that negotiates rates and defines services
• One standard set of services for everyone
• Employer and individual may add more benefits
• Administrative simplicity
• Standards
• Majority of physicians are primary care
• Private, nonprofit insurance companies
• Mediation prior to litigation for malpractice

The simple act of having one basic set of services for everyone eliminates the vast complexity that drowns our health care system.  If we had one basic set of services that everyone was eligible, we would eliminate probably a third of the cost of our health care system. 

We will look at these issues in greater depth as we move forward.  We invite your comments and insights. 

Cheers and more later.  Kathleen