NationStates Jolt Archive


Government

North Island
13-02-2005, 23:11
I was just wondering if any other nations have a similar system if not the same?

Icelandic Health Care System

The Ministry of Health and Social Security in Iceland was established in on January 1st 1970 in accordance with Act no. 73/1969. The Ministry has the responsibility for administration and policy making of health and social security issues in Iceland as perscribed by law, regulations and other directives. Among the issues that the Ministry deals with are:

Public Health
Patient rights
Operation of Hospitals, Health Centers and other providers of service
Promotion of Information Techonlogy in the health services in Iceland
Social security

Information

The Ministry of Health and Social Security is responsible for the overall administration of health affairs and matters relating to social security insurance other than unemployment insurance.The health sector is regulated according to the Health Service Act of 1990 by which all inhabitants have right of access to the best possible health service at any given time for the protection of their mental, social and physical health. The main objectve of the Act on the Rights of Patients of 1997 is to ensure that there is no dicrimination against patients on grounds of gender, religion, beliefs, nationality, financial status, family relation or status in other respect. According to the Act on Social Security of 1993 the social security system comprises insurances such as pension insurance, occupational injury insurance, health insurance and maternity insurance.
The health service in Iceland is primarily financed by central government. Financing is mainly based on taxes or 85% and 15% is fee for service.
The country is divided into health care regions, each with their own primary health care centres, some of which are run jointly with the local community hospital. The primary health care centers have the responsibility for general treatment and care, examination, home nursing as well as preventive measures such as family planning, maternity care and child health care and school health care.
Hospitals in Iceland may be ranked as specialized teaching hospitals, general hospitals and community hospitals. Hospitalization is free of charge. The specialized hospitals perform most operations and procedures in all specialist medical fields. The health service is staffed by trained and qualified professional groups.
Life expectancy in Iceland (2000-2001) is among the highest in the world. Average life expectancy at birth for females is 82,2 years and for males 78,1 years. Infant mortality is among the lowest in the world, 2,7 per 1000 live births.
Borgoa
13-02-2005, 23:16
Broadly yes. To quote the similar (but briefer) blurb from the English pages of the Socialdepartementet here in Sweden:

The areas of responsibility of the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs concern peoples financial security, social services, health and medical care, public health and the rights of children and persons with disabilities.

The main tasks of welfare policy are to lessen the gaps between different groups in society while at the same time providing people with security and an opportunity to develop. People living in Sweden should not need to worry about their financial situation when they grow old, have children or fall ill. Anyone stuck in an addiction must be given support to become free of it. All people must have access to good health services.
North Island
13-02-2005, 23:18
I hear that the 'Medicare' system America has is very flawd, they should get experts from the Nordic nations to help them out.