Canada
Health Canada |
EnactedThe Canada Health Act, which underlies the healthcare system, was enacted in 1984.Number of People CoveredAll Canadian citizens.Estimated Cost$148 billion; 10.3 percent of GDP (2006).
Payment Scheme Taxes fund single-payor, government run system; small but growing private sector. |
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Plan in Brief
- Funded from general tax revenues.
- Citizens receive preventive care, medical treatment, hospitalization, and dental surgery coverage.
- All insured residents receive the same level of care.
- The public system does not cover all healthcare expenses (e.g., optometry, dentistry). Citizens can purchase private health care on their own or through their employers to supplement the public insurance.
- The program does not cover prescription drug costs but some provinces offer some coverage.
- Drug prices are regulated.
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Netherlands
Health Insurance Act |
EnactedJanuary 1, 2006.
Number of People CoveredThe plan provides universal coverage for all residents including non-citizens depending on factors including length of stay.Estimated CostNot clear.
Payment SchemeIndividual buy insurance from private companies, poor get government assistance. |
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Plan in Brief
- Managed competition, through which insurers, operating within government-established parameters (for instance, they cannot deny coverage), can vie for customers with different prices and features.
- Individual mandate; all citizens are required to purchase insurance including some long-term residents who are not citizens.
- Those who cannot afford health care insurance are covered by the government.
- All insured residents receive the same general insurance coverage, including coverage of medications, and can purchase supplemental health care insurance.
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Singapore
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EnactedMinistry of Health formed in 1965.Number of People CoveredAll Singaporeans.Estimated CostApproximately 4 percent of GDP.
Payment Scheme Government pays for 80% of public hospital care and 20% of public primary care, using funding drawn from taxes. Individuals contribute via copayments and approved withdrawals from mandatory HSAs. Private and public health care systems and coverage co-exist.
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Plan in Brief
- The public system guarantees health care to all.
- A combination of "community support and individual responsibility."
- Individuals and their employers contribute almost two-thirds of funding, much higher than in other developed countries.
- Health Savings Accounts are mandatory.
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Switzerland
Health Insurance Act |
Enacted1994.Number of People CoveredEvery person living in Switzerland.Estimated Cost12% of GDP.
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Plan in Brief
- The government defines compulsory coverage: illness, accident, hospitalization, nursing home care, prescription drugs, diagnostics. Private insurance plans sell packages directly to individuals.
- The Swiss approach thus features consumer-driven health care, government oversight, and multiple players.
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United Kingdom
National Health Service |
Enacted1948.Number of People CoveredAll British citizens and residents.Estimated Cost$200 billion (2007-2008); 9.4% of GDPPayment SchemeTaxes fund single-payor, government run system, some private insurance used also.
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Plan in Brief
- Funded from general tax revenues.
- Pays for health expenses and provides care directly through large number of physicians and nurses employed by the National Health Service (NHS).
- Services provided at no charge except for drugs, optician services, and dentistry.
- Standard fee for drug prescriptions is £6.85 (approximately $14), though no fee charged to people over age 60 and certain other groups.
- Private health insurance and private care exist in parallel with the NHS, though it is used by a small percentage of the population.
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Countries 
