Five Health Care Models

Most countries have a mix of these five health care models, though this can vary widely, both across countries and over time. One key question to ask is what the proportion of GDP is spent on health care. According to Bloomberg, the correlation between health care spending and life expectancy has been found to be almost zero. Yet while there are many advantages to centralized government control, the idea that more funding equals higher quality care is misleading. Health spending is only one measure of health system performance, and health outcomes depend on many other factors.

Many health insurance policies are not covered by Medicaid, but there are other ways to access it. If you have a low income or a life event that requires you to go through a certain process, you can be eligible for Medicaid. Medicaid will pay for services rendered by participating providers, but only if they meet certain quality requirements. If you can’t afford private health insurance, you can enroll in CHIP or Medicaid, which provide better access to health care services.

Access to health care is often limited because of poverty. Low income levels correlate with poor health literacy and lifestyle choices. Poor nutrition, fast food, and substance abuse are some of the factors that limit access to good health. Even if you have free access to doctors, your financial and geographic constraints may prevent you from using them. These factors may also prevent you from maximizing the benefits of medical treatment. You may end up paying more for health care than you need to.

A liberal social welfare conception views healthcare as a basic right and a social good. Distributive justice is a central component of this approach, and it refers to the fair distribution of goods and services in society. Aristotle argued that “equals should be treated equally, and those who are unequal should be treated unequally.” This doesn’t end the discussion. Rather, it starts a conversation on who has the right to health care.

The cost of health care has increased in recent years, and the majority of U.S. citizens now have coverage. But in the last five years alone, the cost of health care in developed countries has increased 102 percent. This increase is far higher than the inflation rate or worker’s income. In addition to the cost of healthcare, availability and quality of care varies from state to state, and is often based on the level of income and health insurance coverage.

As a result, the health care industry is split into many sectors. The United Nations’ International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) classifies health care activities as hospital and medical practice, as well as “other human health activities” that include the work of allied health professionals. Those allied health professionals are responsible for delivering health care services in the community, including health screenings, disease prevention, and treatment of substance use disorders. The Global Industry Classification Standard, meanwhile, includes pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, diagnostic laboratories, and drug manufacturing.