Universal health coverage (UHC) is a critical component of global health, aiming to ensure all individuals have access to the health services they need without suffering financial hardship. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), UHC is a matter of equity, rights, and justice, and it is essential for the well-being of citizens (WHO, 2024). The two countries selected for comparison in this paper are the United States and the Philippines. Medicaid is a federal and state program applied in the U. S. to cover health care for needy individuals (Medicaid, 2022).
On the same note, the Philippines has PhilHealth as a nationalized health insurance program to pursue the goals of UHC. This comparison will determine the effectiveness of these policies, which policy has more advantages than disadvantages, the role of the social determinants of health and the possible outcomes, and the viewpoint of access to health care, its quality, and cost. By examining these aspects, we can gain insights into how different countries address UHC and the role of nurses in implementing these policies effectively.
| Global Healthcare Issue | Universal Health Coverage | |
| Description | According to the World Health Organization (2023), UHC is defined as the ability of all people to obtain the required healthcare services without putting excessive physical, financial, or social pressure on them. It refers to the different services offered in the management of the condition, such as preventive, curative, restorative, and end-of-life care. Achieving UHC requires strong health systems, adequate funding, and equitable distribution of resources to ensure that everyone, regardless of socio-economic status, can access quality. | |
| Country | United States | Philippines: PhilHealth |
| Describe the policy in each country related to the identified healthcare issue. | Medicaid provides health coverage to low-income individuals, families, children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. It is funded jointly by state and federal governments (Medicaid, 2022). | PhilHealth aims to ensure that all Filipinos have access to affordable health services (PhilHealth, 2023). Member contributions, government subsidies, and sin tax revenues fund it. |
| What are the strengths of this policy? | It covers various health services, including hospital and outpatient care, nursing home care, and home health care. It reduces the financial burden for low-income families. | Covers a comprehensive range of health services. Has a no-balance billing policy for indigent and sponsored members in public hospitals. |
| What are the weaknesses of this policy? | Varies significantly between states in terms of coverage and eligibility (Jackson et al., 2021). Administrative complexity can be a barrier to access. | Funding constraints and inefficiencies. Limited coverage for certain high-cost treatments and specialized care. |
| Explain how the social determinants of health may impact the specified global health issue. (Be specific and provide examples) | Income, education, and geographical location impact access to Medicaid services. For instance, rural areas may have fewer healthcare providers accepting Medicaid. | Poverty, education, and urban-rural disparities influence access to PhilHealth services. Many rural areas lack healthcare facilities, affecting access to covered services. |
| How has each country’s government addressed cost, quality, and access to the selected global health issue? | The federal government sets broad guidelines,
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