NPR Series Examines Health Care Systems In Five European Nations

Main Category: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 11 Jul 2008 - 7:00 PDT

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NPR, in series titled "Health Care for All," recently examined the health care systems in five European nations, which have lower health care costs than the U.S. and provide a higher quality of care on several measures. Summaries of the stories in the series appear below.

Britain

• "Britain Weighs the Social Cost of High-Priced Drugs": The story examines how the British health care system limits coverage for certain treatments based on cost effectiveness to keep costs down and provide universal access to care (Silberner [1], NPR.org, 7/2).
  
  
• "MS Patient Falls Into American Insurance Gap": The story examines the treatment and coverage of multiple sclerosis in Britain and the U.S. (Silberner [2], NPR.org, 7/2).

France

• "France at Forefront of Free, Innovative Cancer Care": The story examines how the French health care system, which covers all residents, provides a broad range of cancer treatments, such as home care and experimental medications (Shapiro, "All Things Considered," NPR, 7/9).
  
  
• "France's Model Health Care for New Mothers": The story examines how the French health care system provides women with generous paid maternity leave, in-home nurse visits at no cost and subsidized child care, a model with which the U.S. system cannot compete, according to two mothers featured (Shapiro, "Morning Edition," NPR, 7/10).

Germany

• "Health Clinic Treats Germany's Few Uninsured": The story examines how German health clinics can meet the demand for care because only 0.2% of residents lack health insurance, compared with 18% of U.S. residents (Collins Sullivan, "Day to Day," NPR, 7/4).
  
  
• "History of Tinkering Helps German System Endure": The story examines the history of the German health care system (Knox, NPR.org, 7/3).
  
  
• "Keeping German Doctors on a Budget Lowers Costs": The story examines how the German health care system provides access to physicians, medications, technology, dental care, nursing homes and home care at a lower cost than the U.S., in part because the government requires physicians to adhere to a budget (Knox, "All Things Considered," NPR, 7/2).
  
  
• "Most Patients Happy With German Health Care": The story examines how German residents have generous health insurance and often do not have to wait for elective surgeries or diagnostic tests (Knox, "Morning Edition," NPR, 7/3).

Netherlands

• "In the U.S. and Holland, Diabetes Looks Different": The story examines how, although the Dutch health care system has similarities with a large HMO, the nation provides health care for all residents, with a focus on preventive care for those with chronic illness (Neighmond, NPR.org, 7/2).

Switzerland

• "In Switzerland, a Health Care Model for America?": The story examines how the Swiss health care system could serve as a model for efforts by the U.S. to require the purchase of insurance while providing subsidies to those who cannot afford to purchase coverage (Rovner, NPR.org, 7/2).

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