Lessons From The French On Health Insurance

As health reform has become one of the very most talked about subjects in media and around the office water cooler, it would seem that legislators would look to other nations for examples regarding successful medical systems. Though this does not look like the situation (pride, anyone?), the French certainly have this essential aspect of life figured out.



Like a great many other European countries, France has as system of universal healthcare primarily financed from the government. Something about their method is obviously working, as in 2000 the World Health Organization deemed it the "best overall healthcare" in the world. While it appears to be safe to assume that their per capita spending on medical care could be outrageously high, in reality it's not.



In 2005, France spent 11.2% of their GDP on medical, or $3,926 in United States currency per capita. While this figure is really a lot greater than all kinds of other European countries, it can be the truth is less than the common spent from the United States.



Coverage for residents is excellent, with 100% of costs covered for expensive or long-term medical concerns. The French National Health Service refunds patients typically 70% of many "minor" medical care costs, with supplemental insurance provided by private insurance agencies.



The entire French inhabitants are legally forced to pay for health care insurance. Contributions are based solely on income, with percentages required from both employees and employers. Citizens currently pay 0.75% of these earned income for health care insurance, what can that can leave anyone considered "high risk" in the United States gaping, as premiums for high risk pools are easily $500 per month or maybe more, resulting in 25% or maybe more of the income to spend on lackluster health coverage.



Since the French health care insurance strategy is compulsory, rates (or premiums) aren't based on the overall probability of a group or pool of consumers, but is very financed by general taxes like those earned from gamblers.



Currently there are five different groups protected by this medical health insurance system, covering 95% from the population, divided up primarily by employment industry. Each of these groups pays into a different medical health insurance fund, that's able to manage a completely independent budget.



Individuals which might be disabled, unemployed, with per-existing conditions, or retired aren't neglected on this medical care system and receive coverage exactly like another citizen. Those which are unable to afford supplemental insurance however need significant medical care often find that their pricing is paid by Aide Social.



Health care costs in France are regulated and kept affordable by way of a national fee schedule that establishes set amounts that may be charged for all those services. Though it could be assumed that a real measure would be impossible in the United States, this is simply not true.



For decades now, Rochester, New York has operated over a medical insurance model much like that regarding France- and it has shown to be successful. Perhaps it really is now time to try this on larger, national scale, in lieu of settle back and loose time waiting for circumstances to range from bad to worse.