What Is an Optimal Level of Health Care
Optimal Model for Health Care
Stephanie Fontes
ECON 402—Wednesday’s Class
Due Date: November 2nd, 2011
What is an optimal model for health care? This is a highly debated issue internationally. Much of the debate centers around whether health care should be treated as a type of public—good supplied by the government and funded by taxpayers. Others believe that a better system is delivered by the private sector. Another model advocates a public/private mix. This analysis will consider several important factors such as; public access, health outcomes/results, economic sustainability, as well as if it provides room for research and development, in order to recommend which health care system is optimal. Countries health care system including Canada, U.S, and Cuba will provide an insight on the final decision.
“A public health care system is a financial system designed to meet the costs of all or most health care necessities of a country from a publicly managed fund, which is usually under some form of “democratic accountability.” Cuba has a great example of a public health care system, in fact, in 2000, Secretary General of the United Nations Kofi Annan stated that "Cuba should be the envy of many other nations" adding that achievements in social development are impressive given the size of its gross domestic product per capita.” Cuba guarantees “free medical and hospital care by means of the installations of the rural medical service network, polyclinics, hospitals, preventative and specialized treatment centers; by providing free dental care; by promoting the health publicity campaigns, health education, regular medical examinations, general vaccinations and other measures to prevent the outbreak of disease.” This funding model has allowed Cuba’s “life expectancy and infant mortality rates to be nearly the same as the USA 's. Its doctor-to-patient ratios stand comparison to any country in Western Europe. Its annual total health spend per head comes
Stephanie Fontes
ECON 402—Wednesday’s Class
Due Date: November 2nd, 2011
What is an optimal model for health care? This is a highly debated issue internationally. Much of the debate centers around whether health care should be treated as a type of public—good supplied by the government and funded by taxpayers. Others believe that a better system is delivered by the private sector. Another model advocates a public/private mix. This analysis will consider several important factors such as; public access, health outcomes/results, economic sustainability, as well as if it provides room for research and development, in order to recommend which health care system is optimal. Countries health care system including Canada, U.S, and Cuba will provide an insight on the final decision.
“A public health care system is a financial system designed to meet the costs of all or most health care necessities of a country from a publicly managed fund, which is usually under some form of “democratic accountability.” Cuba has a great example of a public health care system, in fact, in 2000, Secretary General of the United Nations Kofi Annan stated that "Cuba should be the envy of many other nations" adding that achievements in social development are impressive given the size of its gross domestic product per capita.” Cuba guarantees “free medical and hospital care by means of the installations of the rural medical service network, polyclinics, hospitals, preventative and specialized treatment centers; by providing free dental care; by promoting the health publicity campaigns, health education, regular medical examinations, general vaccinations and other measures to prevent the outbreak of disease.” This funding model has allowed Cuba’s “life expectancy and infant mortality rates to be nearly the same as the USA 's. Its doctor-to-patient ratios stand comparison to any country in Western Europe. Its annual total health spend per head comes