Health Care in the United States Versus Other Countries

Health care in the United States differs significantly from the systems used in many other nations. As Copelton and Weiss explain, the U.S. follows a Type 1 system, characterized by predominantly private care and no universal coverage, making access dependent on one’s ability to pay or secure private insurance (Copelton and Weiss 571). By contrast, countries like the United Kingdom and Canada use public or publicly regulated systems that ensure universal access regardless of income. These models are designed to promote health equity by ensuring all citizens can receive medical attention as a right, not a privilege: Health Care in the United States Versus Other Countries.

The disparities resulting from the U.S. model are striking. Although it spends more on health care than any other nation, the U.S. continues to rank poorly on key health indicators, such as life expectancy, maternal mortality, and infant mortality (Copelton and Weiss 549). Copelton and Weiss argue that this is due to both medical entrepreneurialism and systemic inequality, which undermine preventive care and increase fragmentation. In contrast, England’s National Health Service (NHS) and Canada’s single-payer system emphasize coordinated, publicly accountable care with fewer financial barriers and better outcomes.

Additionally, the American system reflects cultural values of individualism and profit-oriented care. Other countries view health care through a public good framework, where access is based on collective responsibility. Copelton and Weiss note that universal systems tend to mitigate the effects of social determinants of health—like income, race, and education—by providing equal access to primary and preventive care (529). These differences are not just structural but ideological, reflecting how societies define their obligations to citizens.

In summary, while the U.S. values innovation and specialization, its lack of universal access creates avoidable health disparities. Countries that treat health care as a right tend to foster healthier populations with more equitable outcomes.