Part One
A national health care system in the U.S. will not happen anytime soon. With the recent economic report of the Department of Teasury, our economic state of affairs is in need of a drastic overhaul. So, how is it the U.S. is the only industrialized country without a health care? Well, I have decided to do a series which will take a look at several countries to see how they do it. When talking about a national health care system for other countries there are a number of factors that need to be considered. One of the most important ones is the type of government that is in place.
So, with that let’s take a look at Japan’s national health care system and the basics.
Types of Health Care #1
· Small Business Insurance – comprised of employees (and their dependents) of small businesses with more than five but fewer than 300 employees.
· Health Insurance Societies “Society-managed Insurance” – comprised of employers with 300 + employees.
· Laborer’s Insurance – for those who work less than two months during the year (i.e. seamen).
Types of Health Care #2
· National Health Insurance – includes self-employed, students, retirees and small business owners.
Types of Health Care #3
· Health care for the elderly — Membership is restricted to those over the age of 70 or if bedridden over the age of 65.
Coverage for Health Care #1, #2 & #3
· Hospital and physician care, dental care and pharmaceuticals, and even some transportation.
Differences
1. Society-managed funds generally pay greater cash benefits than NHI.
2. Patient Cost-Sharing Restoration Program included in the society managed plans picks up a portion of the mandatory co-payment.
Society-managed plans are actively involved in health screening and promotion (i.e. gyms, health centers etc….)
So with that, I will discuss in my next series of Japan’s health care system the cost and how it is funded. Please be sure to check back!
Source: White, J. (1995). Competing Solutions: American Health Care Proposals and International Experience. Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution.
