UK and US Health Care
In this month’s MOBILITY magazine, Donna Marsh offers her perspective on UK and US health care systems. As a dual British and American citizen, she writes on where the two cultures diverge. Here are some interesting thoughts:
“Americans are taught from an early age to take care of themselves…Many Americans view health insurance — supplied by many but not all employers to their employees and their families — as something they individually earn.”
“In the United Kingdom, the National Health Service is free at the point of need to all British residents, including foreign nationals…It undoubtedly is considered a human right by the British public, expected to be provided for all by the government.”
US culture is, on the average, very individualistic. In terms of health care, Britons look to the nation for support. This group-orientation has been, of course, impacted by history and is reinforced through personal experience.
“It is not unusual for many Americans to look at many resources as being available in abundance, including health care. The British, with the days of post-WWII rationing still in living memory among its older population, are more pragmatic, recognizing that resources are limited and must be managed to maximize provision to all who need them.”
Again, history has a direct impact on a country’s culture. How much do you agree with Marsh? How have you experienced differences between US and UK culture? Click here to jump to the article.
Click here to read an earlier post I made on culture and health care.
Charlene