Japan has about the lowest per-capita health care costs among the advanced nations of the world, and its population is the healthiest. That is largely due to lifestyle factors, such as low rate of obesity and violence, but the widespread availability of high-quality health care is also important. Everyone in Japan is covered by insurance for medical and dental care and drugs. People pay premiums proportional their income to join the insurance pool determined by their place of work or residence. Insurers do not compete, and they all cover the same services and drugs for the same price, so the paperwork is minimal. Patients freely choose their providers, and doctors freely choose the procedures, tests and medications for their patients. Reimbursement rates to doctors and hospitals are negotiated and set every two years. The fees area quite low, often one-third to one-half of prices in the US.
The above information and the following data were in the August 27 issue of the NYT on page A12. An up-to-date comparison of Japan and the US from the World Health Organization.
US vs Japan
Life expectancy 78------------ 83
Infant Mortality 7 per 1000 -----3 per 1000
Health spending as a percent of GDP
15 ---------------8
Percent of health spending that is private
54---------------- 18
Doctors per 10,000 people 26----------------- 21
The above information and the following data were in the August 27 issue of the NYT on page A12. An up-to-date comparison of Japan and the US from the World Health Organization.
US vs Japan
Life expectancy 78------------ 83
Health spending as a percent of GDP
15 ---------------8
Percent of health spending that is private
54---------------- 18
Doctors per 10,000 people 26----------------- 21
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