Introduction to Health Systems, Management & Policy
Assignment: Comparison of Other Health Care Systems
After completing the lecture, readings and Frontline video, select a country OTHER THAN ONE REVIEWED IN THE FRONTLINE DOCUMENTARY or the US. Compare and contrast its healthcare system with what you know about the United States’ system and systems featured in the documentary. The selection of a developed country, one with some kind of national health coverage, is preferred.
You can draw information from your assigned articles, class lectures and outside sources (do use outside sources). Be sure to cite your sources, and put any direct quotes in quotation marks (linked to footnotes).
Your responses should be moderately brief; bullet points are more appropriate than an essay format. Present your findings in the format below.
Assignment:
1. Name of Country Used for Comparison:
Is there a particular reason that you selected this country?
2. Please highlight the central factors of the system (3-4 sentences each):
Coverage (who is covered, what is covered, what is not covered, etc.):
• Provision of services (how are services provided; where are services provided; private vs. public sector, etc.)
• Financing (how are services financed, do patients or employers contribute to payment, etc.)
• Other important information about the system
3. In your opinion what are the strengths/benefits of such a system? (2-3 sentences)
4. In your opinion, what are the challenges/drawbacks of such a system (2 -3 sentences)?
5. In your opinion, could the United States follow a similar health care model as the country that you chose? Please list the three biggest challenges that the United States government would face if we implemented such a system (3 -4 sentences)?
6. List three constituencies/special interest groups that would likely oppose the implementation of a national health care plan similar to the country that you chose. Please give a short reason why each group would oppose the plan (one or two sentences acceptable).
7. After watching Sick Around the World, please describe how your selected country compares to the countries featured in the documentary.
8. What did you learn about how your selected country addresses the issues featured in the documentary?
9. Given your own personal situation, would you prefer receiving health care in the United States or the country that you chose for this comparison (and why)? Separate from your own personal situation, do you prefer the health care system of the country you selected or that of the US (and why)?