Abstract
This chapter focuses on developing an enhanced US healthcare delivery system model by learning from the “best” healthcare systems in the world and adapting some of their best working principles to the existing US healthcare system. These global systems include the Swiss healthcare system, which is considered one of the best in the world, and some of the other leading healthcare systems such as the German, the UK, French, Italian, and Singaporean. It would also explore, among a few alternatives, the state innovation-based approach to healthcare reform. Major concerns such as cost containment, affordability, flexibility, accessibility, feasibility, and implementation-related issues have been addressed.
TopMain Focus Of The Chapter
The main focus of this chapter is the development of a bipartisan, enhanced healthcare delivery system in the US-based on the “best” principles from some of the global healthcare systems that have been adapted to fit the US healthcare delivery system.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Free Choice in Healthcare Insurance Plans: The “Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act” allows an individual to freely enter into contractual agreements with health care providers for health care services and coverage without a mandate or penalty, of any kind, from state legislatures.
“Enhanced” Healthcare Delivery System: Improved healthcare system, which includes five different plans/approaches/options to healthcare delivery in this context.
Buy Own Health Insurance: One can buy one’s own health insurance and not have to get coverage through his/her employer. Depending on where one works, one may have the option of getting employer-sponsored health insurance, called group coverage.
Employer-Sponsored Healthcare Plans: Healthcare insurance plans sponsored/offered by the employer, which are currently the most popular type of healthcare coverage used by a majority of the US population.
“Enhanced” US Hybrid Healthcare Plan: A combination of two or more existing healthcare plans by taking the best of each to form one new healthcare option plan.
Universal Healthcare Access: This usually means everyone in a given country has access to and can enjoy the protection of health insurance, whether the country has a single-payer system, socialized medicine, an insurance mandate, or relies on a set of subsidies and other incentives.
Affordable Care Act (ACA): The federally sponsored healthcare plan (ACA) was signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010. A major overhaul of the U.S. health-care system aimed to reduce the amount of uncompensated care the average U.S. family pays for by requiring everyone to have health insurance or pay a tax penalty.
Private and Public Healthcare: Private healthcare can be provided through “for-profit” hospitals and self-employed practitioners, and “not for profit” non-government providers, including faith-based organizations. Public health care is usually provided by the government through national healthcare systems.
Global Healthcare Systems: Healthcare systems that exist outside of the US. Examples include Swiss, German, the UK, French, and Singaporean.
Universal Healthcare Coverage: All the residents in the country are included to receive and benefit from healthcare through some healthcare or insurance plan/s available.