Elsewhere In Europe

8 Universal Health Care System FAQs #5

How happy are the Finnish with their health care system?
According to a report commissioned by the European Union, 88% of the Finnish are happy with their health care system. Most clinics and hospitals in Finland are run by local governments. Health care is available to all and is financed primarily through tax revenues. (Source, Source)

How does the public/private system of the Netherlands work?
The Netherlands requires that every citizen purchase health care from a privately run insurance company for regular health care services such as care by the family doctor and hospital visits. The government mandates the universal coverage that must be provided by every insurance plan, including paying for all prescription drug costs. Insurance companies are not allowed to deny insurance coverage to anyone and must charge all customers the same rate. There is public social insurance to cover the long-term mentally ill, the elderly and other high risk groups. All children under the age of 18 receive free medical care. They accomplish all of this by spending only 9.8% of GDP on health care (as opposed to 15% by the United States) while still maintaining quality. (Source, Source)

How well does the Swedish health care system perform?
Sweden's socialized health care system performs very well against most Western countries in measurements such as life expectancy and infant mortality. Compared to the population at large, Sweden has a large number of doctors and nurses. (More than the United States.) Sweden accomplishes this despite spending only 9.4% of GDP on health care. There are reports of long waits for health care delivery. (Source, Source)

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