Running Head: BEST HEALTH CARE FOR ALL 1

University of Hawaii at Hilo

School of Nursing

Best Healthcare for All

By:
Jane G. Stubbert
NUR 362
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BEST HEALTHCARE FOR ALL
Jane G. Stubbert

Best Healthcare for All

Health insurance is a way to pay for health care. It protects someone from

paying full costs of medical services when injured or sick. There are various types of

health insurance available for children, single adult or family. Medical health may be

attained through a private insurance, through an employer or through a

government, also known as public health insurance. Most health insurance covers

more than just medical services such as prescription, vision and dental.

According to Canada’s health care system (2018), Canada health care is a

group of socialized health care insurance plans that provides coverage to all

Canadian citizens. It is publicly funded and administered on a provincial or

territorial basis. It provides universal coverage for medically necessary health care

services on the basis of need, rather than ability to pay. No citizens in the country

are denied access to health care based on whether or not one can afford to pay. For

Canadian government, this is a point of pride. About 25% of Canadians' healthcare is

paid for through the private sector. This mostly goes towards services not covered

or partially covered by Medicare, such as prescription drugs, dentistry and

optometry. Some 75% of Canadians have some form of supplementary private

health insurance through their employers. (Canada health care system 2018).

On the other hand, Australia’s health care system is similar to what most

foreign countries have. According to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

(2016), all Australians are eligible to be treated in a public hospital without charge.

Majority of Medical Centers in Australia are all public hospitals. The distribution of

funding between government and the non-government sector varies, depending on

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BEST HEALTHCARE FOR ALL
Jane G. Stubbert

the type of health goods and services being provided. Public hospitals are funded by

the state and territory and Australian governments, but are largely owned and

managed by the state and territory governments. Private hospitals are largely

owned and operated by private organizations either for profit companies, or non-

profit organizations. Medicare is Australia's universal health care system, which is

the primary health scheme that subsidizes most medical costs in Australia for all

Australian citizens and permanent residents. Medicare is financed by a Medicare

levy, which is compulsory and administered through the tax system. (Australian

Institute of Health and Welfare 2016).

Overall, health care system in U.S. is very similar to other countries whose

intentions and goals are to do good (beneficence) and do no harm (non-malificence)

to all citizens, permanent residents, and alien residents. (Cherry & Jacob 2010).

When my father was ill, Medicare and Medicaid paid for all medical expenses

including surgery, hospitalization, transportation, medical supplies, PT/OT, home

health services, as well as hospice care. The services and benefits he was granted

was more than we could afford and imagine especially knowing that American

health care is one of the most expensive health care worldwide. Not one health care

is perfect, but maybe a combination of Canadian, Australian and American health

care will bring a better healthcare for all.

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BEST HEALTHCARE FOR ALL
Jane G. Stubbert

References:

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2016. Australia’s health 2016. Series no.
15. Retrieved from https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/f2ae1191-bbf2-
47b6-a9d4-1b2ca65553a1/ah16-2-1-how-does-australias-health-system-
work.pdf.aspx

Canada’s healthcare system (2018, February). Retrieved from

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-care-
system/reports-publications/health-care-system/canada.html

Cherry, B. & Jacob, S. (2010). Contemporary nursing issues, trends and management.
St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.