c489 Task 3_.docx - Organizational Systems and Quality...

Organizational Systems and Quality Leadership
Task 3
Ralph Spencer
Western Governors University

C489 Task 3 (1217) 1
A1. COUNTRY TO COMPARE
The country I am going to compare to the U.S. Healthcare System is that of Japan. Japan
instituted a social insurance system after World War II in hopes to rebuild. This healthcare
transformation gave close to 130 million people the ability to become some of the healthiest and
longest living in the world. Social insurance is provided through taxes and a mandatory health
insurance policy which will be covered by the government if the citizen is deemed as poor.
There are no waiting times in Japan and no appointments needed, anyone cannot walk into a
local doctors office and ask for care. Hospitals and Doctor’s offices are privately run. Every 2
years, all drugs and medical procedures are analyzed and prices are fixed throughout the country.
If you become unemployed you transition into community insurance.
A2. ACCESS
In the United States the medical coverage for children is covered under Medicaid with a
program called “The Children's Health Insurance Program” (CHIP). CHIP is administered by
the states, following federal requirements. States that provide CHIP coverage through Medicaid
are required to provide many benefits such as: well baby, well child, dental and vaccines. These
services are provided free of charge. Eligibility for this program cover children up to or above
200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), with many additional states covering up to 300% of
the FPL.
In Japan the medical coverage for children free of charge under their parents social
insurance plan. Japanese Social Insurance pays 70% of total medical costs and with the
certificate, and the Free Medical care Certificate for Children covers the remaining 30%, which
leads to no additional cost from the family for all medical needs. This certificate is valid until 15
years old but the age limit differs between city and ward. Vaccinations and baby checkups are

C489 Task 3 (1217) 2
not covered by insurance but the family’s local ward provides coupons to cover any additional
expenses.
Unemployed citizens in the United States who need care without insurance create
uncompensated or indigent care costs which must be passed by healthcare systems to paying
subscribers or company insurance programs. Because of this inability to get health care,