Introduction
The health care systems of the United States and Japan share certain similarities and differences in their structures, payment methods, and various other features. This essay will discuss and analyze the US and Japanese systems.
Comparison of the Healthcare Systems
Structure
The healthcare delivery system in the United States is built on the notion of private and commercial medicine. Private medical institutions and insurance firms provide a wide range of medical services. Additionally, most Americans have private insurance that covers their medical expenses. However, others do not have insurance, which makes accessing medical treatment difficult (Chemweno, 2021).
The healthcare delivery system in Japan is built on universal health insurance. All Japanese citizens are required to be covered and contribute to their health insurance every month (Matsuda, 2020). Therefore, this ensures universal access to healthcare while reducing individual financial burdens. While insurance covers most medical expenses, some deductibles must be paid when receiving medical care.
Similarities
The existence of commercial healthcare providers and insurance firms is one similarity between the healthcare delivery systems in the US and Japan. Patients may select the healthcare services and insurance that best meet their needs. Furthermore, both systems aim to provide their residents with high-quality healthcare.
Differences
There are, however, variations in the healthcare delivery systems in the United States and Japan. Healthcare and insurance costs in the United States are frequently relatively high, restricting access to care for low-income individuals (Chemweno, 2021). In Japan, however, most residents have access to healthcare without a significant financial outlay, owing to universal health insurance (Matsuda, 2020).
Strengths
The strength of the US healthcare delivery system lies in the wide variety of healthcare services and the ability to choose insurance according to a patient’s needs. Additionally, in the US, innovation in the medical field advances rapidly, leading to the development of new treatments and diagnostic methods (Ahuja, 2019). The strength of Japan’s medical care system lies in its universal access to medical services. With mandatory health insurance, Japanese citizens can get the medical care they need without financial hardship. In addition, Japan has one of the highest life expectancies in the world, a testament to the effectiveness of its healthcare system.
Weaknesses
Nevertheless, both the healthcare delivery systems in the US and Japan have their weaknesses. In the US, many citizens suffer from inadequate access to healthcare due to the high costs of insurance and services. Additionally, there are often issues with care coordination and a lack of a unified electronic health record system. In Japan, long waiting times for specialized medical care and the high cost of medicines can be a problem. Also, universal health insurance does not cover all types of medical services, which can create difficulties for patients (Matsuda, 2020).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the healthcare delivery systems in the US and Japan share similarities and differences. Both systems provide high-quality healthcare to their citizens, but they employ different approaches to financing and organization. To develop and improve healthcare in both countries, it is essential to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each system.
References
Ahuja, A. S. (2019). The impact of artificial intelligence in medicine on the future role of the physician. PeerJ, 7(7702), e7702. Web.
Chemweno, J. (2021). The U.S. Healthcare System is Broken: A National Perspective. Managed Healthcare Executive. Web.
Matsuda, R. (2020). Japan | Commonwealth Fund. Web.