What Countries Offer Universal Health Care? Universal healthcare aims to give everyone access to quality, affordable health services. This includes preventive services and disability treatments. World leaders have made universal health coverage (UHC) one of their key global objectives; its agenda is supported by World Bank Group through the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFAATM).
Reaching universal health coverage will have a transformative effect on individuals, families and communities alike. Universal healthcare systems can ease financial strain caused by out-of-pocket medical spending while increasing equity and inclusion – not to mention life expectancy as this correlates with access to high quality health care.
Though UHC offers great promise, there remain numerous challenges in moving towards it. As global population is increasing at an ever faster pace and requires additional health services including affordable ones; furthermore there is an urgent need to address health inequities and the social determinants of health affecting low income populations as well.
How countries achieve UHC varies considerably, but there are a few key strategies that can guide their efforts: these include creating a people-centred healthcare system with comprehensive primary healthcare; increasing funding to cover essential medicines, vaccines and diagnostics; using evidence for policymaking more quickly; and increasing multisectoral coordination to advance health and wellbeing among all people – such as through policies on food, housing, education, employment justice and the environment.
Some of the world’s most developed nations provide universal health care through some combination of government-funded or social insurance-based systems. In the US, for instance, most citizens have medical insurance provided through their employers; those without coverage are at greater risk for financial hardship in case they lose employment or experience serious illness.
Germany took its initial step toward universal healthcare in 1883 when they implemented their Sickness Insurance Law. This system followed Otto von Bismarck’s Bismarck model. Later in 1900s Norway experimented with universal health care by creating a national insurance pool where employers and employees contributed funds that could later be used for hospitalization, medicine and other costs related to healthcare provision.
Countries that offer universal health care typically standardize the types of services provided, reducing costs while attenuating inequalities. Meanwhile, private insurance in the US often prioritizes profits over affordability when offering various premiums and coverage options that may increase costs for those less wealthy.
Reaching universal healthcare coverage is not only a human right but an invaluable investment in people worldwide. Additionally, this goal will contribute to furthering global objectives like poverty reduction, eliminating inequalities and increasing peace and security.