Switzerland's Healthcare System: An International Perspective

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the Swiss healthcare system, highlighting its universal coverage regulated by the Swiss Federal Law on Health Insurance. It details the system's structure, emphasizing the compulsory private health insurance for all citizens, with government subsidies for the economically disadvantaged. The report also examines the costing of the Swiss healthcare system, noting the public and private sector contributions, and discusses the outcomes and satisfaction levels, referencing a survey indicating high satisfaction among the population. Furthermore, it contrasts the Swiss system with that of the USA, pointing out key differences in coverage, employer assistance, and government spending. The report concludes by advocating the Swiss healthcare system as a model for other countries, emphasizing its ability to meet citizens' medical and financial needs through continuous advancements and updates. Desklib provides access to similar solved assignments and resources for students.

Running Head: DISCUSSION 0
international HealthCare-System
Switzerland
FEBRUARY 6, 2020

DISCUSSION 1
Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Description of Swiss Healthcare-System...................................................................................2
Costing of Swiss Healthcare-System.........................................................................................2
Outcomes/Satisfaction of the Swiss Healthcare-System............................................................3
Differences with USA Healthcare-System.................................................................................3
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................4
References..................................................................................................................................5

DISCUSSION 2
Introduction
Healthcare system is a structured plan designed to focus on the country’s population
and plan out the finance and management of the health care which includes schemes, health
policies, loans etc. All the countries around the global focuses on the health and medical
requirement of their citizens. Their main priority is to look after citizens’ health needs but at a
considerable budget and resources (WHO, 2009). This report presents the health care system
of Switzerland.
Description of Swiss Healthcare-System
Switzerland or Swiss healthcare system is claimed as universal and is considered to
involve all the coverages of its citizens. The Swiss Federal Law on Health Insurance
regulates the system and also handles the financial queries of the citizens in respect to the
medical help. There does not exists any free state-provided health insurances, but the
private health insurance schemes and policies which is compulsory for all the citizens in the
country (Schwartz, 2020).
The Swiss government subsidizes the poor and economically unstable people with
healthcare benefits but no such policy is applicable for economical sound. (Sturny, 2020).
Swiss Nurses Association also termed as SBK-ASI is one of the largest professional
association in Switzerland. Swiss nursing education is vocational and skill oriented and hence
focuses more on practical skills (Schwendimann, et al., 2020).
The system is based on preventive care model and involves primary care by the
assistance of professional nurses and physicians (Sturny, 2020).
Costing of Swiss Healthcare-System
It is stated that 67.4 percent of health spending comes from public sectors such as
through taxes, interests and finances while, 5.7 percent comes from cost sharing (Ganzer &
Sak Hoi, 2017). In Switzerland, economically unstable people find it difficult to pay the basic
health coverages because their income is not sufficient to meet the health insurance premiums
and also their cost is increasing day by day, which is unfavorable (Roy, 2011).
Hence, the government has started subsidizing the health insurance and those getting
the subsidiary then their insurance premium accounts for 12 percent of nonrefundable
income (Ganzer & Sak Hoi, 2017).

DISCUSSION 3
There are several differences in the coverage of health policies and systems based on
the income of two individuals. The person with unstable or backward economy will be
subsidized by the government (Ganzer & Sak Hoi, 2017). It is an elaborated and intricate
unification of public care with funded private and solely privatized healthcare
(Healthmanagment, 2020).
Outcomes/Satisfaction of the Swiss Healthcare-System
There are few noteworthy factors that strengthens the health care system if
Switzerland, such as Swiss people can opt from variety of health insurance plans that satisfies
their requirements. The healthcare system uses the latest technologies and keep their medical
equipment and practices well updated. Likewise, there are some points that weakens the
system as well for example, the privatized working of healthcare which says that Swiss
citizens have to buy health insurance by their own, as it is not government or employer
assisted. Another reason is the increasing costs of medical facilities and insurance policies
which turn out to be heavy on people’s pocket (Frei & E., 2001).
In a survey in year 2016, it was reported that around 81% of their population had
encouraging and constructive feedback regarding the healthcare system and facilities which
clearly states that the majority of the population is glad with the health care system of their
country (Wurz, 2016).
Differences with USA Healthcare-System
USA does not offer the universal health coverage to citizens of the country as well as
visitors in the country. While in Switzerland, it has universal coverage. In USA the health
insurance is employer assisted unlike Switzerland (Himmelstein & Woolhandler, 2016).
A survey depicted that from year 1996 to 2008, in Switzerland the growth of an
average PPP-adjusted per-cap. expenditure was 4.6%, while the U.S. had 5.5%. The spending
on healthcare by the Swiss government is 2.2% of GDP while that of USA is 7.4% making
Swiss economy and finances stable. The swiss government restricts citizens from channeling
not more than 10% of expenditure from their income into healthcare system which might led
to inflation in the swiss economy while US government promotes spending money on
healthcare (Roy, 2011)

DISCUSSION 4
Conclusion
This report undoubtedly advocates the fact that Swiss healthcare system is best and
finest amongst all the countries in the world. It keeps up with the medical advancements and
updates the system regularly to meet citizens, basic medical as well as financial requirements
and demands. Switzerland certainly helps other countries in the world to envision and map
the direction towards the betterment and progress of the country by responsibly prioritizing
the needs of its citizens.

DISCUSSION 5
References
Frei, A., & E., H. (2001). The Swiss health care system. The European Journal of Health
Economics.
Ganzer, T., & Sak Hoi, G. W. (2017, 11 30). Caring for those who cannot afford health
coverage. Retrieved from swissinfo.ch: https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/us---swiss-
health-series_caring-for-those-who-cannot-afford-health-coverage/43716470
Healthmanagment. (2020). Healthcare in Switzerland. Retrieved from Health
Managment.org: https://healthmanagement.org/c/it/issuearticle/healthcare-in-
switzerland
Himmelstein, D. U., & Woolhandler, S. (2016). The Current and Projected Taxpayer Shares
of US Health Costs. American Journal of Public Health.
Roy, A. (2011, 04 29). Forbes. Retrieved from forbes.com:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2011/04/29/why-switzerland-has-the-
worlds-best-health-care-system/#59940c627d74
Schwartz, N. D. (2020). Swiss Health Care Thrives Without Public Option. The New York
Times.
Schwendimann, R., Ausserhofer, D., Schubert, M., Widmer, M., Addor, V., Desmedt, M., &
Geest, S. D. (2020). Strengthening health systems through nursing: Evidence from 14
European countries. NCBI.
Sturny, I. (2020). The Swiss Health Care System. Retrieved from International Health Care
System Profiles: https://international.commonwealthfund.org/countries/switzerland/
WHO. (2009). European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies.
Wurz, J. (2016, 06 24). swissinfo.ch. Retrieved from Swissinfo:
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/health-monitor-2016_swiss-are-happy-with-their-
health-more-or-less/42249778