At least one country already has a healthcare plan roughly similar to the one President Obama and the Democrats have proposed, with universal coverage, a mandate that everyone buy insurance and a major role for private insurance companies: Switzerland. Full Story »
Posted by Walter Cox - via NewsRack (Health Care)
More description than opinion, McManus describes the features of the Swiss health care system including tight government control of all prices, attempt to cover all through subisidies, and not-for-profit insurance companies. He points out that out-of-pocket premiums can be high and that with no controls on treatments offered, costs are difficult to control. Nevertheless, he notes that the overall cost of healthcare to the Swiss is substantially less per capita than in the US and the life expectancy results are better on average. The piece is certainly not comprehensive but it hits the major bases.
