Introduction
The selected country for analyzing health care system in the paper is France. I selected France because it ranks higher in the world rankings as compared to the United States in terms of health care system. The paper discusses the comparisons of the health care system of two countries.
Health Statistics and Costs
France
As of 2013, the life expectancy at birth of females and males in France was at 85 and 79. Based on 2013 statistics, France had a lower probability of death occurring to individuals aged between 15 to 60 years as compared to that of the US. The probability of males and females dying in the above ages was 109 and 52 respectively per 1,000 people (World Health Organization, 2015). This clearly shows that France had a better life expectancy as compared to the United States. France had 11.8% total expenditure on health as a percentage of GDP in 2012. During the same year, the per capita expenditure on health in the country was 4,260 (World Health Organization, 2015).
United States
In contrast, the life expectancy at birth of females and males in the United States was at 81 and 76 respectively (World Health Organization, 2015). In addition, the probability of dying in males and females in the United States was at 128 and 76 respectively per 1,000 people (World Health Organization, 2015). This shows that France had better rates of death as compared to the US. The US had a 17.9% total expenditure on health as a percentage of GDP in the year 2012. The per capita expenditure on health in the US was at 8,895 during the same year (World Health Organization, 2015).
Health Care Financing
France
Health care funding occurs through the national health insurance in the country. Research indicates that government funded agencies cover about 77 percent of the country’s health expenditure (Clarke & Bidgood, 2013). France also caters for the income of general physicians working in private practices. Financing also comes from the private sector through the purchase of other coverage from private mutual insurers (Clarke & Bidgood, 2013).
United States
In contrast, health care funding occurs through the Medicaid trust funds in the US. Payroll taxes from employers, employees, from self-employment and income taxes funds the trust fund related to hospital insurance. The Congress also authorizes funds for financing other medical insurance funds (The Commonwealth Fund, 2011).
Health Care Administration
France
The French government administers most of the health care in the country through different agencies. The ministry of health regulates expenditure as well as overseeing resource management. In support from other committees’, the ministry sets prices for drugs and other medical procedures (Clarke & Bidgood, 2013). The High Council of Public Health (HCSP) agency produces reports related to health care status in the country used in analyzing potential health problems. The HCAAM makes improvements on issues related to finances of the healthcare system. The National Health Conference discusses issues of health care priorities (Clarke & Bidgood, 2013).
United States
The Department of Health and Human Services takes the prime responsibility of overseeing health care provision in the US (AllGov, 2015). The HRSA plays the role of improving the accessibility of medical services to the uninsured in the country (AllGov, 2015). The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is responsible for overseeing and financing programs for disadvantaged children. The Administration for Community Living (ACL) is responsible for the provision of services related to aging (The Commonwealth Fund, 2011).
Health Care Personnel and Facilities
France
Based on 2013 figures, France had about three doctors for every population of 1,000 individuals. France provides a lot of medicine to the health care system. France had 6.4 hospital beds per a population of 1,000 individuals in 2011. In addition, it had 3.2 physicians per a population of 1,000 individuals. Additionally, it also had 9.3 nurses per 1,000 individuals (World Health Organization, 2015).
United States
In 2011, the US had 2.9 hospital beds per 1,000 individuals (World Health Organization, 2015). During the same year, the US had 2.5 physicians per a population of 1,000 individuals. Additionally, the US had 9.8 nurses per 1,000 individuals in the same year (World Health Organization, 2015).
Conclusion: Access and inequality Issues
France
Research shows that almost all individuals in France are insured. 0.4 percent of the population that is not eligible for statutory health insurance receives coverage from the state. There are health disparities in France. Health inequality is a serious issue in the country (The Commonwealth Fund, 2011). Those affected by health disparities are the people found in the lower social categories. Studies reveal that there is a 10-year gap in the male healthy life expectancy, between individuals in the highest and lowest social categories in the country (The Commonwealth Fund, 2011).
In summary, France has a better healthcare system as compared to that of the United States. From the above analysis, it is evident that France devotes most of its efforts towards the provision of adequate health care to all the population in the country. France has a high inequality level in terms of health care provision as compared to the US.
References
AllGov: Department of Health and Human Services. (2015). Web.
Clarke, E. & Bidgood, E. (2013). Health care systems: France, Web.
The Commonwealth Fund: International profiles of health care systems. (2011). Web.
World Health Organization: France – statistics. (2015). Web.