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What Countries Have Universal Health Care?
A few nights ago, I watched Michael Moore's new documentary, SiCKO, which focuses its crosshair on the health care industry in the United States. At one point in the movie, Mr. Moore claims that the United States is the only "westernized" country without universal health care. Is that true?First, what does he mean by "westernized"? Defining the "western world" can be subjective, and definitions will vary depending on what criteria is used. Are you defining it from a cultural standpoint? Political? Economical? Perhaps this is why Mr. Moore felt comfortable making such a broad generalization. Is it even possible to truly define what the "western world" really is?
Okay, forget the western world. (I think I know what he meant anyway.) What countries on our good green Earth provide some sort of universal health care for their citizens? Here they are:
Countries in blue have some type of universal health care. Countries in green are currently attempting to implement some type of universal health care. Orange countries have universal health coverage provided by United States war funding. Source. Click to enlarge.
Afghanistan*, Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Cuba, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iraq*, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Ukraine and the United Kingdom
*Universal health coverage provided by United States war funding
There you go. Keep in mind: this is a simple list of countries that have some sort of publicly sponsored health care system. For instance, Sri Lanka may be far from having a true, working universal health care system like France, but prescription drugs are provided by a government-owned drug manufacturer. This qualifies as "some sort of publicly sponsored, universal health care system."
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)
robert Feb 1st 2008 6:28AM
I do not the real numbers , but i know a few friends who work for Insurance companies and dozens of top executives are making anywhere from 1million to 30 million or more a YEAR with there salary and stock options( the stock go up the more the company profits , therefor it is in there interest to spend as LEAST as possible ) Lets say the industry takes in 300 billion a year they spend 100 billion and of course profit the rest( they most likely do not spend a third of what they bring in ) , but we will give them the benefit of the duobt. If we make universal and spend 200 billion that twice as much on health care for 100 billion less. If anyone cannot understand the simplicity in that example you should not be in a forum .
Nick Jun 9th 2008 11:23AM
I don't understand the words left out and the misspellings. It makes it confusing to try and understand this message. Proofread, use spell check, at least please use something.
maria Feb 10th 2008 4:31PM
farrah fawcet has to go to germany to get treatment..in backward america she be dead already..germany has socialized medicine...ive lived in the usa since 10 years married a soldier...and as soon as he gets out we moving to europe...your infra structure is sad...more than half of america looks completly dilapadated..siemens bosch..daimler..countless german and japanese companys united arab emirates ..have bought everything you owned ...general elctric used to get your airports light up ..now siemens does it american workers are out of bussiness your schools do not produce sientists engeneers ..doctors.. that actually want to treat people ..the few you have want to be plastic surgeons..and all that because the top 2% trying to tell you dummies that you are just fine making 7.50 an hour while they are pocketing all the money ...the euro is 1.50...china owns you your unions are death ..and you still vote repuplican ....its funny....a german woman gets 2 years baby vacation...we have 6 weeks vacation and still hour companies make more profit.....why is that you think...america better wakes up quick
Legendary conflict May 2nd 2008 1:07AM
shut your face maria. don't disrespect United States. We are the strongest country in the world.... Stop disrespecting us. We gotta work on health care and we will. that doesn't give you the right.
Nick Jun 9th 2008 11:23AM
What doesn't give her the right? That's right, nothing. Free speech means free speech. If something is wrong, you speak up. How do you think change happens?
Rasecas Sep 23rd 2009 12:06AM
Maria is right ans we Americans need to wake up and smell the coffee. We need to demand "Free healthcare in America" if we want to call our Nation a Land of the free". FDA does not get paid by the Government and their funds come from Labs, Doctors, Pharmaceuticals and Insurance Companies. Genvec Labs discovered a cure for Cancer but; they were forced by the "Gang" to rest such case. DCA was discovered curing same illnesses in Canada but the "Gang" does not see money to be made out of it as the chemicals are cheap and they would loose patients and we became commodities. Farrah Fawcett, Patrick Swayze and Kennedy among many did not need to die. Watching Frontline today "Sick around America" I saw how the "Gang" works. The documentary SICKO is completely reality. Not long ago I have a car accident and the Ambulance 5 minutes away from the Hospital was USD 750.00 and when I arrived at the Hospital waiting for almost 2 hours at the emergency room; I got maybe 4 stitches and the bill was almost USD 2,000.00 Perhaps the needle was made out of gold and the threats was made out of platinum and the bandage was made out of silk. LOL... Free Health care MEANS we pay the same amount from our checks to the Government and they regulate the "Gang" putting a stop to these issues in our Nation. Obama is trying to do it although; uninformed Americans with a narrow mind had the Tea Party accusing the Government of taking over. I am now applying to move overseas where I can have a life with dignity and peace of mind instead of being subject to these "Sharks". Before our Nation tries to clean somebody else's backyard because of the oil and Political agendas; we need to clean our own. I traveled worldwide and was received at the Immigration with a smile and barely no questions asked. When I came back Home; I was mistreated and saw how Officials treated Tourists and visitors. I was ashamed and sick just to see it. Last... The end of times is near as the Parable of the "Fig Tree" when Israel becomes a Nation in which were May 15th 1948 says: VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU; THIS GENERATION SHALL NOT PASS... One generation is gone (40 years) and Israel celebrated their "Jubilee" in 2008 for the (60 years) now we only have to wait for the 70 years generation. We can not pray in schools anymore, people want to take the 10 commandments off the Courts and now they want to change the coins putting around in small letters "In God we trust" and not on the face of it. What is next? People... Be humbled and love one another instead of pointing fingers in a bad way. We are not perfect, Countries are not perfect, America is not perfect but IF we fear GOD trying to be better and stop these blood suckers we can get somewhere together. We are being corrupted by our own system and the way we receive Foreigners in our Nation must change because "we" Americans are going overseas to live as thousands with fixed income are there now receiving their retirement through U.S. Embassies so they may stretch the Dollar to make a reasonable living as they can not afford living here. Many Americans are living U.S.A. because of our system and working for multi National Companies overseas and receiving away better health care then in the U.S.A. for free. When we learn how to respect others and their cultures living in peace then; we can step up and say we are making a difference but nevertheless; It appears not to be the truth and soon we will ALL answer to GOD.
maria Feb 10th 2008 2:28PM
socialized medecine is not free...you will pay and your employer will pay ..the government will regulate certain things for insurance companies..they will not be able to denie actuall sick people ...that is all ....and everyone has to be in a health plan....dont let the 2 % tell you otherwise..they are just mad that they now have to provide a health plan arent able to opt out ...dont worrie they will still be rich as hell and the insurance companies will still be rich as hell...but average americans will not be stressed out to the max constantly...and you people should really think why some americans dont want you to have health insurance the must not care so much about their fellow americans ...and by the way there is no waiting time for any procedure in germany...so dont let them fool you again....the elite just likes to keep you dumb and suffering....
rasecas Sep 23rd 2009 3:53PM
Well said Maria...
maria Feb 19th 2008 5:20PM
and please dont tell me now to go back to germany ..or learn more english and whatever else..stupid people usually come up with when calling them on their sneakieness.....i actually care about america we europeans used to look at america as this great place..and now we look at it as backward ...abusive and antisocial..i want the america of my child hood to come back when we felt it was the place to be ......
Debi Oct 13th 2009 2:31PM
Yes, Maria...I want our great USA back too. When it was a capitalist country. But now we've become a socialist country and let foriegners buy up our land and businesses. They control us now, not the American people. We are being distroyed from the inside. A doctor used to be affordable, then everyone wanted insurance (it's been our government regulations that has allowed the insurance companies and hospitals to charge horrific prices for little in return so they can then rescue us and reap the benefits) and now we think government run health care is the answer. America was founded on small government, low taxes. NOW 50+% of our money goes to taxes...how much more are they going to demand. We will not get FREE health care. It will all come at a cost. And what about a choice in our own care. And I'm sure we would give up a choice of care type or doctor. Is that the American way? I also think we are all entitled to eat. Should we all get the same food vouchers too? Since most want us to be like everyone else, we've become socialist and have lost our American way.
ben Feb 27th 2008 9:26PM
first of all, to the lady that wants to leave. america has a wonderful welfare system, just take a look at ur next paycheck to see how much the government is taking out to pay for the people who file bankrupcy. i work in a pharmacy and i see people driving up in their brand new cars wearing nice clothes and pick up their free meds. makes me sick. i bust my ass all through highschool, all through undergrad, and bustin my ass to get into pharmacy school so i can CHOOSE my healthcare and how i want MY money spent. the government does way too much as it is. people complain that we spend too much on the war. i think we spend way too much on personal things like healthcare, drug production, and other things that should be handled by doctors and not lawyers. i feel no pity for people who feel trapped. in america you can make yourself what you want, if you want to work for it.
now bring it on you leftwing demoncrats!
Erich Aug 8th 2008 3:38PM
I'll bring it on, foo. Jk... But you don't know the numbers. There's way more being spent on the war and not health care. You got to be ignorant to think they compare.
People as selfish as you are like anarchists. If it were up to people like you we'd be living in feudalism...
Rogelio Apr 1st 2009 12:13PM
To you, my dear friend Ben. I am one of those leftist that will bring it on. The facts are real simple, my friend. We feed the lower class citizens of the US fake dreams of glamour and material wealth. I think what you need to do is PAY MORE ATTENTION to details instead of just going by what you see. The corporate controlled media feeds you lies and the corporate controlled news is pretty much the wrecking crew. So, the next time you want to complain about some dude rolling in some nice car with fresh duds on, ask him how far in debt he is because of our "Great System" as you so call it.
Joel Mar 31st 2008 6:39PM
It is AMAZING to see people talk down about Universal Health care who have not even seen it at full force in any of the other countries. I am an American living in Hungary, which ranks a low 66 on the WHO list. USA is not much better at number 37. But the system here already seems better than that of the USA. The wait is shorter, the doctors really want to help, my baby girl is seen for 2 checkups per month, the doctors are not being paid spiffs from stupid Pharmaceuticals to push their drugs....I mean, its GREAT. Nobody here complains about somebody abusing the system either. They say they actually -want- to help their fellow countrymen...Something we Americans can't bare to do. HELP EACH OTHER. We have to line our pockets first before we can stoop to helping each other. We have to do a credit check to make sure the sick and dying are worthy of our hospital care. What a bunch of crap. Personally I think the USA does not deserve Universal Health care and I feel guilty for all that I have here in Europe.
Megan Oct 21st 2009 12:21AM
Joel....I totally agree with you, the healthcare in usa sucks bad. My sister and I were raised by a single mom that needed much help. Guess what she never got any. Most states in america have free healthcare for children that live in low income homes, which your supposed to get until your 21 yrs old....Well as far as I am concerned, ITS A BIG LIE!!!! Every time my mother applied for this so called HEALTHCARE, we were denied. Until I was 19 id never been to a denist, hardly ever been to the doctor. When we were sick, all we could do was fight the illness. Unless it was so bad we had to go, in which case my mom had to borrow money by some means.This land of the FREE is not free....Maybe in some ways, but it all depends on your interpretation. How does a country that at some point was based on freedom of speech....not allow us to speak up.....because its another lie, when we were kids in school, did we not get into trouble if we said something the teacher didn't agree with?? We sure as heck did. And when people stand outside businesses to make a stand for something, Do they not get arrested?? They sure do..... Plus if were SO FREE, how come praying isn't allowed at school?? Do we not have freedom of religion. Weren't we supposed to. What ever happened to respecting a person no matter what their beliefs are, because were all equal. So what if they wanna pray to their GOD at school.....if yours is different, pray to your GOD....Isn't that what this country CLAIMS to have....FREEDOM to be your own person....This country is outta control.... AND REALLY when ya think about it....we don't need this money system, Im sure at one point there wasn't a such thing...Why do we HAVE to have it????? Anyone every really stop and think about that...And I believe someone else on here said what ever happened to helping one another....Heck if I know, everyone here is so jealous of one another, wanting to beat the next person....Wanting to be "cool" persay....that they forget compassion.. The GOLDEN RULE doesn't exist any more...because if it did.. I mean really did...THE WORLD WOULD BE THE BEST PLACE.......anyway i know ive kinda ramble on about more then the general topic...but ill say more later.
Joel Mar 31st 2008 6:48PM
Oh, and left wing democrats? You mean REPUBLICRAT since Democrat and REpublicans are the same party. Minor differences. Try to imagine (This goes out to the republican diehards who still have a brain and can think for themselves) a country with MORE than 2 political parties. Try to imagine a country where the corporations don't pay off the government. A country where the people actually want to help their fellow citizens. A country with a health system that doesn't take bribes from corporate drug makers to push on people who don't really need them. A country where the people are NOT so self righteous when they have a decent job. That country is not the USA. The founding fathers would be appalled because of what we have done. Stop being blinded by REPUBLICRAT/DEMOPUBLICAN propaganda and start using your brain....Ugh. Maria is right. We all need to wake up in America but I truly do not see that happening.
delta Apr 2nd 2008 8:32PM
I am currently a mother of three children and a navy wife, as well as a nursing student. I grew up in a single parent home where my mother worked for the state government and found her salary made the offered health coverage inaccessible. I grew up knowing not to get sick because we could not afford to pay the doctors and still buy groceries. Other then required school physicals I never saw a doctor, fortunately never getting sick. I was pregnant with my first child when I started receiving routine medical care. During my seventh month of pregnancy I went to my doctor for a routine ultrasound that horrifically turned into an emergency c-section. (That's another tale of America's inept medical industry) My son was born with congenital anomalies requiring heart surgery. My insurance claimed it was a preexisting condition since his heart defect was formed in utero. Medicaid thankfully paid for the surgery. My husband joined the military and we were thankful for the insurance coverage since my son was 'uninsurable' in the private sector. That is until it came time for my son to have his next surgery. This was a year ago. The doctor paid for by our insurance was a military doctor (cardiologist) who had never preformed surgery on a child nor had he ever done the required procedure, but this was the doctor my insurance said I could use. This doctor and only this doctor as long as I lived on the military base. If I moved out of the military service area I could use whatever doctor I wanted to with only a 50% co-pay. Having no other options I moved my three children away from their father to have at least partial coverage for the doctor who had preformed my son's first two surgeries. After getting to West Virginia, the closest area outside of Tricare's coverage area, I now have to drive 31/2 hours each way for my children's pediatric appointments and only come up with 50% copay for my eldest son's surgery. ummmm....about 1.3 million dollars. I consider myself a fortunate American. I have options in my children's health care. I could have chosen an unskilled, unqualified military doctor. I can come up with 1.3 million dollars (catastophic cap does not cover pre-existing conditions) Or I can divorce my husband who is currently serving in a war zone, and apply for medicaid. That my friend is what makes America great.
Legendary conflict May 1st 2008 7:01PM
I realy do think we should be getting it here in the Us too. We need it, so I vote for Universal health care as well.:).
Legendary conflict May 1st 2008 8:38PM
i kinda think it's realy sad that we have to have sooo many people in the Us die because they don't get the proper health care....... and they die? what the hell is going on? we're using to much money on war, lets just help the people of our country and give free health care.. China is doing it, and they have over 3 Billion people.. IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.
been there Jun 4th 2008 2:56PM
Hi,
On the national health issue, the source of the map is
is listed as Wikipedia. Is that a one hundred percent
accurate source? I have just returned to the US
(my home country) from living for 27 years in Egypt.
Guess what? Egypt has health care and it is not listed as such on the map.
Guess what? Libya also has health care and it is also not listed. Ditto for all of Eastern Europe. I could go on with more examples. I guess it is a good (or bad) thing for our country that most Americans don't travel or they would have a better idea of who has health care. By the way, most third world countries who have health care do not have the waits experienced by some western nations
health systems.
Had Americans spent more time learning how it works
over there, they might have insisted on health care instead of wars. I agree with the nurse.