HLTH 507: Public Health Administration
Discussion Post Thread: Comparing Healthcare Systems
Since 1978 the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) has been a compulsory contributory funded
social security scheme covering all employed persons in Jamaica.3 There have been several
attempts at reforming primary healthcare in Jamaica.3,The healthcare system has remained nearly
the same despite the ongoing changes and needs of the growing population. The system has had
some improvements which focus on the development and expansion of hospital services
including local clinics and private doctors. The aforementioned improvements have been
constructed over the past three to four years, but a plan hasn’t been put into place to improve the
longevity of care in the country.4
The goal of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) was to provide complete coverage for all its
citizens but failed due to the mishandling of funds and government greed. Health insurance
coverage is only for government officials which leaves citizens paying out of pocket for
healthcare.3 Citizens are denied services and are left without healthcare despite the 30 to 40
hospitals and clinics around the island.1 Majority of government owned hospitals have more
patients than staff can handle due to the shortage of skilled personnel, lack of funds, and
technology. This forces locals and expats to seek treatment from a private doctor or healthcare
facility.1 The United States is better in all aspects. Although the United States and Jamaica are
vastly different in population, access to healthcare is easier to come by. Unlike Jamaica,
Americans have more hospitals, private doctors, and the ability to be covered under different
health insurance companies or plans.
In Jamaica, the government and health ministry control the healthcare field. They hire staff to
work solely in government facilities and there is no affordable alternative. Patients who seek care
from the private sector must provide funds to cover their visit in advance or face not being
treated.4 On the other hand, In the United States, the federal government plays a very small role
in directly owning and supplying staff.2 The Affordable Care Act was established to ensure
shared responsibility among local, state, and federal government employers, and individuals to
provide Americans access to affordable and quality health insurance.2 The U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services is the federal government’s main agency involved with health care
services and makes sure all policies and procedures are being followed.
,
The United States directs forty five percent of its annual budget towards health care which is the
highest percentage in the world.2 In the United States, all employed individual pay taxes to fund
public insurance programs which is why many Americans have medical coverage.2 These
programs are Medicaid, the veterans health administration (VHA), TRICARE, chip and
Medicare. Jamaicans pay taxes on food items but do not have a system to create programs to
cover their citizens like Americans. Statistics show that the United States ranks 30th in best
healthcare in the world whereas Jamaica is ranked 104th.5,The rank is based on overall care,
quality, facility waiting times, fiscal sustainability, and programs.5 The Jamaican healthcare
system cannot provide the same quality care that you would receive in your home country in
both public and private hospitals and institutions.1 It is very important to understand that the
island country of Jamaica cannot treatment major medical problems such as major trauma and
critical life threatening crisis and for such, you can be evacuated to the nearby country for
excellent medical care which would be Miami, Florida in the united states.1
,
References
,
1. Expat Financial. Jamaica healthcare system & insurance options for
expats. Expat Financial - Global Insurance for Expats.
https://expatfinancial.com/healthcare-information-by-region/caribbean-
healthcare-system/jamaica-healthcare-system/#:~:text=Public
%20Healthcare,that%20each%20of%20them%20provides. Published
December 19, 2023.
,
2. Long-Term Care Providers and Services Users in the United States,
2015-2016.; 2019.
,
3. National Insurance Scheme – Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
https://www.mlss.gov.jm/departments/national-insurance-scheme/#:~:t
ext=The%20National%20Insurance%20Scheme%20(NIS,all
%20employed%20persons%20in%20Jamaica.
,
4. Primary Healthcare Reform for Jamaica 2021-2030 – Ministry of Health
& Wellness, Jamaica. https://www.moh.gov.jm/data/primary-healthcare-
reform-for-jamaica-2021-2030/.
,
5. Wisevoter. Best Healthcare in the World 2023 - Wisevoter. Wisevoter.
https://wisevoter.com/country-rankings/best-healthcare-in-the-world/. Published May 30, 2023.
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