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Show Page - THE HERALD, Provo, Utah, A10 Sunday, February 14, 1993 Health care around the world Spain ther countries handle '' It Editor's note: President Clinton . ", Virtually everyone covered by public plan. Six percent deducted from paychecks health care system a priority of his new administration. In this report, Associated Press bureaus describe how some other countries handle health care. .' - President Clin- ton's campaign promise to make .affordable medical care available to all "as a right, not a privilege" 'may be hard to keen. . - But many countries have done it already , for much less money than the United States invests in a system that still leaves at least 33 million people with little or no protec- tion. "Now, we spend far more than about any other nation on Earth ' 30 percent more of our income mm we geti iless cror u, cunion said when he announced Feb. that would give the states more flexibility in administering Medicaid. The United States devoted 12.4 percent of its gross domestic product to health care in 1990, about twice the proportion Britain spends on a National Health Service available to everyone. Japan's universal plan costs 6.7 percent of GDP. Germany spends about 8 percent, while Canada and r r r ranee provide universali care iory percent of GDP, according to the Organization of Economic Coop eration ana ueveiopment, wnose 24 members include the United States and leading Western industrial nations. Seventeen of the OECD countries put more public money into health care then the United States, where 57.6 percent of tures come from insurance and other private sources. Money is not the only measure, however. Patients in some countries do without sophisticated care or a choice of doctors, and wait months or years for surgery. Many health systems require partial payment by the pa1 T"1 cy tient. None of the systems is without problems and some countries are making significant reforms, among them Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Argentina and Zimbabwe. Several nations are turning to the free market to encourage competition and greater efficiency. "The biggest problem which America has to solve is the great amount of citizens who lack insurance," said Kenneth Ennefors, principal administrative officer at Sweden's Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. Every Swede is guaranteed coverage in the health system, run by county councils. Patients pay about S20 for a visit to a doctor. When necessary, they are sent to other county facilities for specialist treatment. Swedes have complained about the anonymity of the system, so the government proposes to bring back the family physician. During his presidential campaign last year, Clinton cited the Germany system as one the United States could follow. Germans pay anywhere from 8 percent to 16 percent of their salaries the average is 13.1 percent to belong to one of the country's "sickness funds." Retired people, those on welfare and the jobless are covered at government expense. About half the population, espeworkers, have no cially choice of which fund they will join blue-coll- ar . and the wealthy are permitted to drop out of the system. Last year, when the program's deficit was estimated at $7.7 billion, Parliament adopted legislation that says reimbursements to doctors from insurance funds can not outstrip income from insurance premiums. For two years, it also limits the rise in hospital fees to that of incomes. Laurene Graig of The Wyatt Co., a consulting firm based in Washington, D.C., said Germany is a promising model for U.S. reforms because employers are key elements of both health systems. "Germany runs its system through employers and it is financed through a payroll tax on employees and employers," said Ms. Graig, author of a study of six national care systems published in 1991. "So there you would not have the radical change that would be necessary if we were to implement the Canadian system, for ex- ample." Canada switched from free-mark- et medicine to a university health system in 1971. Canadians are automatically enrolled in a health plan that allows them a choice of doctors and hospitals in their province. Dentistry, drugs and private rooms generally are not included, but can be covered by private insurance. Japan introduced equal medical care and insurance for everyone in 1963. According to the Health and Welfare Ministry, the average payroll deduction for insurance is 8.2 percent, although some Japanese pay as little as 3 percent, depending on the plan. Insurance covers 70 percent to 90 percent of all medical services. Patients pay the rest, with a maximum of $484 a month. The Japanese system has become increasingly costly for the government as the number of elderly and other unemployed people grew from 6.4 percent of the population in 1965 to 33.5 percent in 1990. France's national health plan is part of its social security system, financed by the government and by a payroll tax of 6.8 percent for workers and 12.6 percent for employers. It covers roughly 70 percent of doctor fees, drugs and other prescriptions, including aspirin, birth control, eyeglasses and dental braces. For most of the remaining 30 percent, there is private insurance partially subsidized by employers. About 80 percent of French citizens participate in these "mu-tuelles- ." Italy is embarking on a three-yeprogram to reduce costs and improve service through increased competition and some privatization. Merit promotions are to replace political appointments in local administration. Starting in 1995, Italians will be permitted to buy their own insurance coverage, and will receive tax refunds if they do. Health Minister Francesco de Lorenzo says Italy is not abolishing socialized medicine. "Citizens will continue to have access to free health care in hospitals," he said in a magazine inter- ar nmss Hoar mm? Are you tired of throwing your money away month after month? Why not start putting it toward the most important investment of your life. pre-qualificati- on Call Freedom Mortgage for a FREE on a home or condominium with a friendly loan officer. Freeedom Mortgage offers: Government loans, FHA and VA Construction loans Cor ."entional loans Refinances LOWEST RATES IN TOWTJ, FAST SERVICE Why not find out what it takes to own a home? DON'T WASTE TIME AND MONEY. Denmark Israel Government-ru- n and financed by general Choice of four funds costing $150 to $200 a month per taxation, with optional private insurance for family. Medicines from medical UT 84S04 pharmacies. immigrams. fees." Britain has been promoting competition within its National Health Service, which provides care for all. Local health authorities are being permitted to negotiate contracts with hospitals, and doctors can negotiate with hospitals in arranging care for their pa- js Health care for effl ' servants and state - I I tients. In Belgium, the main health care groups are associated with the major political parties, with the government making up the losses. f Mexico Social Security Institute financed in part by payroll deductions, provides tri medical and hospital care, ambulances and medicines to all employed people. No provision for unemployed. Complaints about quality of care are common, those who can afford it use private doctors and hospitals. nations, expenditures are rising too fast and the individual contributions are rising too fast," said Jos Kesenne, economic adviser to the Christian Democrat health care organization. He said the increasing number of elderly patients "inevitably forces us to spend more, and these costs are currently underestimat- iJ'l IUI JJM. ' - - " i TT. 7777 A - , "7777 7777. '777. 7777 - TV . , Cheap, equal medical . care and insurance for everyone. Average payroll tax of 8.2 percent, with some paying only 3 percent, depending on 7 insurance plan. Seventeen OECD countries put more money into "' . health care than the United states where 57.6 percent of expenditures come from insurance and share of other private sources. Public-secthealth spending: T IW -- 10 ' jCfgfin i J&? Japan Public money As a percent of the gross domestic product, for the seven largest OECD countries, 1 960-- 1 990: Leaving health care to political parties also has caused excessive spending, such as competing hospitals in an area where one would be adequate. In Spain, a 6 percent payroll tax and matching contributions from v I government program for the 800 million peasants, who pay Argentina themselves or buy Two public systems, one government, the insurance. Several other run by trade unions. Government experiments under system includes hospitals run by way, modeled after municipalities and largely financed by insurance programs proceeds from government gambling in South Korea, operations. As of March 1 , Argentina is ending a union monopoly on providing health Hong Kong and United States. care for members, giving workers a choice. Health care expenditures ed." - or highly g' free subsidized. No ; , "As in most western European - l employers provide medical care for everyone. About 20 percent of the 39 million people also have some private insurance coverage. J Private health care often falls below the standards of Spain's public system. Some private clinics, for example, are not equipped to handle complicated births and must transfer the patients to public m ' " " it '. , '64 '66 mi '68 i .1 tvt . 'MJ. 4 January, the Socialist government trimmed costs by dropping 0 about 900 drugs from a list of that are subsidized. Most Spaniards pay 40 percent of the cost of listed medicines. People over 65 pay nothing. Israelis have a choice of four funds, which cost SI 50 to $200 a month per family, excluding denIn 2 70 72 74 76 '78 '80 '82 '84 '86 '88 '90. n mi mi in ii p 13 . Vt if. t: ! , -1-- '62 r '60 hospitals. J rr.. fs.. 3 12 I 1 10 14,-00- h9 8 'jr., tistry. , Prescription medicines are heavily subsidized and separate insurance coverage can be purchased for treatment abroad. About 7 percent of the people are not covered, particularly recent immigrants. ' debt. Under legislation being drawn up by Health Minister Haim Ramon, Israelis would pay directly to the government and it would reimburse clinics. As of March 1, Argentina is ending a labor union monopoly on providing health care programs for their members, giving workers a choice A "' .vs. Wv"T.nr l 7 ' h6 vst Mum, II1WIII flSl'"' Mil IliillWiii III H llil E2E Mil J Source: Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development AP heart to ceurt. Take your The largest fund is $1 billion in Good Earth on a bike ride. Or out for a jog. Or 1 Whatever your sport, vigorous exercise can help keep your heart healthy. 9 of plans. American Heart Association Presents A FREE PUBLIC LECTURE 'LIVING HEALTHY rtnr LaJL "3 o) r nj IN AN your heart works hard for you, give it a break. Come to the Heart Fair at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center and learn how to better care for your heart. This year's fair is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in UVRMCs Clark Auditorium. At 10:15 a.m. come hear Dr. Ronald Asay, a certified cardiologist, talk about cardiac care and technology. This year's fair will also include cholesterol screenings; blood pressure and blood glucose screenings; EKG strips; pulmonary function tests; information on senior services, cardiac rehabilitation, operating room procedures and biofeedback; snack. y and a With all the information booths and health screenings available, 'his year's Heart Fair promises to be as good as ever. So give your heart a break, come out to the Heart Fair on Feb. 16. heart-health- iWgtj ariDUEOif tesw fern Utah Valley Regional Medical Center 1034 N. 500 West Provo, Utah 84605 1800-365-773- 8 Cottontree Square, Provo, to sell painkillers in competition with expenses not covered. Some competition being introduced, such as patients allowed to chose among hospitals and doctors. Some discussion of allowing supermarkets low-inco- 373.5303 2230 N. University Parkway, Suite 6C heavily subsidized. Dentistry not covered. Largest fund is $1 billion in debt Government preparing changes under which citizens would pay government and it would reimburse clinics. About 7 percent of the population not covered by insurance, particularly recent view. "The chronically sick will continue to receive free or discounted medicine, and families will continue to be exempt CALL NOW! Outs id Local area Call system? Government pushing reforms on National Health Service, which provides care for all. Financed 80 percent from general revenues and party from payroll deductions. Local health authorities allowed to contract with hospitals and other facilities. Doctors free to contract with hospitals to care for their patients. Elective surgery often requires long wait Private care available. UNHEALTHY WORLD' Hey, ) health-care Britain Kenneth Ennefors, Sweden health official By ROBERT BARR Associated Press Writer LONDON , "The biggest problem which America has to solve is the great amount of citizens who lack insurance." to finance health care and unemployment programs, with matching funds from employees. DespitB complaints about waiting for surgery and checkups, public system rated higher than private care. A look at a variety of II IC (801) 373-785- 0 By Patricia Montague, B.S., C.N. Montague holds a Bachelor's degree in cellular biology from Purdue University and is a certified nutritionist. As a nutritional consultant, Patricia has specialized in nutritional support for persons with multiple chemical sensitivities, complex allergies, and degenerative disPatricia eases. ; She has clients from all areas of the United States and has recently moved to Utah. Her informative lecture will be followed by a question and answer peri-- : od. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 7:00 P.M. 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