healthcare reform

Right now the United States of America is in a state of crisis. The healthcare system is raked 37th in the world. A reform is needed. Many countries around the world have already implemented reformed healthcare plans. In this paper the healthcare system of France will be outlined as will the healthcare system of the United States. Suggestions for improvements will be laid out and the current weaknesses will be discussed. There is a way to provide every citizen with healthcare. In 1945 France started a public health insurance program. In 2005 there was a reform to change over to coordinated care. A major implementation to this plan is universal coverage, which means all legal residents can have health insurance coverage. Coordinated care is based on the principle of solidarity, guarantying financial protection against life’s emergencies. There are three parts to this coverage. The main fund covers 80% of the population, which are those that are employed. The other two funds cover the self-employed and farmers. Under this coverage the working population has 20% of their gross salary deducted to support these funds. The money for the funds also comes from personal income tax, reduced price changes on the labor market and allocating systems financing among citizen equally. In France 75% of the total health expenditures are covered by the public health insurance system, the patient pays the remaining balance directly. Reimbursement rates in France are as follows; 70% for visits to the family doctors or a specialist, 95% for a major surgery, 80% for minor surgeries, 95-100% on pregnancy and childbirth, 70% for x-rays, routine dental care and home nursing care. Patients with chronic or life threatening illnesses can receive 100% reimbursement. Since coordinated car was implemented every person in France is able to receive health insurance, therefore citizens that are unemployed or have very little income are entitled to 100% coverage.