US AND UK HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS

A comparison of the US and UK Health Care Systems

A comparison of the US and UK Health Care Systems

Introduction

The main purpose of this paper is to make an analysis on the UK and US health care systems. The paper makes discussion on the social problem area which is associated with a social policy response and how it is manifested in US as compared to UK. The paper is developed on the basis of the liberal model, and the role of liberal model for the purpose of funding and providing delivery of care. According to a recent research survey about health care quality in United Kingdom, people have voted that the health care of United Kingdom is very good and a large proportion of people said that they consider them as a healthy citizen. When they are asked about the reason behind this, they said that it is because of the health care quality which is provided in United Kingdom (Acorn 2006, p. 12). According to people the Universal Healthcare quality system is closely linked with the citizens of the nation. In United Kingdom, health of people is taken very seriously. Since almost 50 years, so many efforts have been made in order to provide the good health care quality. In order to make developments in the health care industry, recent guidelines have been published by United Kingdom Health Act.

United States devotes a high proportion of their national wealth to health care. Estimates for 1990 indicate that USA has spent more than 9 percent which is 100 of its gross domestic product (GDP) or $ 60 billion for health care. While the U.S. spent 660 billion or 12 percent which is100 of their GDP to health care. The health care system in U.S.is characterized by strong government intervention. Health expenditures in 1990 have been paid to 72 percent which is 100 by the federal and provincial or local governments. Americans do not pay out of pocket that services are not covered by the insurance plan of their province, which is 21 percent and 100 of the total bill. For its part, the health system in the United States relies mainly on the private sector; U.S. citizens and private insurance companies paid more than half of health care spending, while the central government, State and local governments accounted for 43 percent which is 100 thereof (Kleinke 2002, p. 45).

Discussion

There are several similarities and differences in the health care system of United States and United Kingdom. However, these differences are discussed on the basis of the liberal model.

What are the key features of the liberal model?

Liberal model is applicable in United States and United Kingdom. This model creates the differentiation between the people who deserve for the welfare and the people who do not deserve for the welfare. This model creates the differentiation between the deserving and undeserving poor. This model also limits the benefit payments potential workers. In the liberal model of welfare, the role of ...