France

Health care policy makers have long been looking to Canada to serve as an example for reform in the United States. This may be flawed considering that patients in Canada suffer from long wait times for not only screening/diagnostic exams, but also for life-altering surgeries. This is a key point for American resistance to adopting what we view as 'socialized' medicine. Americans want what they want WHEN they want it. This much we know. A more appropriate example, which may be more parallel to American psyche, is France's health care system. Michael Moore praises the system in his documentary Sicko, which, it seems is well-deserved. The WHO ranked France #1 in 2001 secondary to its universal coverage, patient/provider freedoms, and impressive health care outcomes. Beyond the WHO endorsement, Moore's interviews with Americans now living in France confirm that the satisfaction level is quite high. In fact, 60% of French citizens say that they are satisfied with their health care system as compared to 40% of Americans.



France's complex mix of public and private financing only makes their healthcare system more viable in America. This complexity lends to the freedoms granted to providers and exapansive choice afforded to patients. These freedoms are necessary when considering health care reform in the United States. Americans are not willing to give these up even though they haven't improved health care outcomes overall. Thus, while the Canada system has positive attributes, the French system simply may be more in line with the way Americans think. Combatting the American psyche is an uphill battle that we struggle against when attempting to create a national health service. Perhaps the French got it right this time and can lead the way.