Comparing Health Care Systems in Canada/UK, USA and Switzerland to Assess the Direction of US Health Care Reform

DOI: 10.5176/2010-4804_2.4.268

Authors: Deepti Chinta and Ravi Chinta

Abstract:

Along the payer continuum ranging from full consolidation of payers to consumer-driven health care, three competing models of health care systems are identified in Canada/UK, USA and Switzerland respectively. These three health care systems are compared and contrasted along 10 analytical dimensions. Trade-offs along three aspects of a health care system, namely, (i) access to care, (ii) quality of care, and (iii) cost of care, are discussed in each of the three systems. Bureaucratic forces in Canada/UK, competitive forces in USA and market forces in Switzerland are noted as dominant. Several state-level mini-reforms in the USA are noted with a view to project the direction of future of US health care system. The paper concludes with an inferential projection of transforming forces impinging on the current US health care system.

Keywords: Health care reform, Health care systems, International comparisons, Emergent systems