Universal health care (UHC) in some literature is synonymous with health coverage which enables all and sundry within a community to use purchased health services and not suffer any financial constraint in the process. Despite the fact that the components of universal health care, as well as the mechanisms of putting them into practice, differ from nation to nation, a number of countries have advanced systems with the aim of solving this problem. Some examples of countries that have adopted universal health care include:
Canada: Known as Medicare, Canada’s publicly funded health care system provides coverage for hospital and physician services considered medically necessary for all citizens of Canada and permanent residents.
United Kingdom: Residents of the UK are not charged for use of healthcare services such as hospital care that is provided by the National Health Service (NHS), primary care and care provided by specialists.
Australia: Australia is mostly a dual system of public and private health care where government supported Medicare enables access to a large spectrum of health service provisions which includes hospitals, medical care and drugs.
Germany – In Germany, a compulsory health insurance is adopted for a large segment of the population in the form of statutory health insurance. There is a wide array of health care services covered within the scheme including but not limited to, outpatient services, hospitalizations, and drugs.
France – The health system established in France is one of social health insurance whereby most of the citizens are covered by the state health insurance and private supplementary insurances. It allows individuals to access a wide range of health care services which include admission for treatment, consultations and medication inclusive of with no limits.
Sweden: In Sweden, taxes enable an explicit health care system for all residents, thanks to the comprehensive health services available in the entire country. Such a system includes hospital care, primary care, dental care, and also covers prescription drugs.
Norway: Taxation is the principal financing mechanism of Norway health institutions, which provides all citizens of Norway with access to health care services such as hospitals, primary care and specialist services.
Netherlands: It is compulsory for the Dutch to have health insurance, which is provided by private health insurance firms for a basic health services package. The state offers assistance packages for the disadvantaged populace who cannot pay for health insurance.
Japan: Universal health coverage in Japan is based on a system of health insurance that is provided by prospective employers or by the government for older or out of work citizens and self-employed persons.
New Zealand: The country has universal health care system where private health insurance and public funding are integrated. The Health care system funded by the government called New Zealand Health System, ensures availability of some health services like hospitals, primary care, and prescribed drugs.
These are a handful of other states that have an overall health care system that covers every person in the country. Even though the details may vary, the main emphasis of all the systems is to provide all the necessary health services to every person without conceding to any financial limitations.
