MS Patient Falls Into American Insurance Gap July 24, 2008 • After he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Jeff Rubin of Philadelphia went bankrupt paying for his medical bills. Would that happen in England? Both the U.S. and the U.K. ration health care. A look at patient experiences on either side of the Atlantic.
Taking The Measure Of Health Care In America July 2, 2008 • Europe spends far less on health care than the United States, while managing to cover all citizens and rank above the U.S. on most measures of good health.
John W. Poole/NPR Massachusetts Steps Forward On Health Coverage July 23, 2008 • In the most closely watched health care experiment in the United States, Massachusetts is requiring nearly all of its citizens to have insurance. Support remains strong for the program, and the number of uninsured has dropped by half.
Switzerland: Health Care for All In Switzerland, A Health Care Model For America? July 31, 2008 • Switzerland's health care system could be the perfect political compromise for the U.S. Those who can afford to buy insurance are required to do so by law. For those who can't, the government provides subsidies. Swiss citizens, such as Cecile Crettol-Rappaz, say they wouldn't trade it for any other system.
Health Care Switzerland: Health Care for All July 31, 2008 • Republican policymakers are abuzz over Swiss-style, universal health care; it comes closest to what they could imagine emerging in the United States. Everyone in Switzerland is required to buy government-regulated health insurance, with subsidies for the poor.
Health Care Great Britain: Health Care for All July 25, 2008 • In the U.S., health care coverage is decided by how much is in your bank account or by your employer. In Britain, the government provides the same level of care to everyone. It's a system of rationing, but the British say they would riot in the streets if they were asked to adopt an American-style system.
Netherlands: Health Care for All Netherlands' Health Care Reflects National Values July 17, 2008 • The Dutch like their health care system, even when things don't go exactly as they want. This is in no small part because the system reflects national values such as pragmatism and stoicism — something especially apparent when it comes to matters of birth and death.
Health Care Netherlands: Health Care for All July 17, 2008 • Many U.S. policy analysts say that if America adopts universal coverage, this should be the model to follow. The brand new Netherlands system is like a giant HMO, except the government sets the rules. Citizens must buy health insurance, and insurers must sell affordable, comprehensive policies.
Health Care France: Health Care for All July 11, 2008 • France spends more on health than just about any other country, but not as much as the United States. And yet, French mothers seem to get more for their money.
Health Care Germany: Health Care for All July 3, 2008 • Germany has the world's oldest universal care system and is arguably the most successful. Like Americans, most Germans get their health coverage through their employers. But Germany's rich pay higher premiums to subsidize insurance for the poor — a principle the Germans call "solidarity."
Germany: Health Care for All Most Patients Happy With German Health Care July 3, 2008 • German health benefits are very generous, and there's usually little or no wait to get elective surgery or diagnostic tests, such as MRIs. It's one of the best health care systems in the world. It's visible in little ways that most Germans take for granted.
Health Care Innovations Compare International Medical Bills July 2, 2008 • Countries with governments and economies similar to the United States have come up with a variety of methods to make sure that all of their citizens receive health care. Take a look.
