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A Hybrid Single-Payer System
Japan has had universal health coverage since 1961. This coverage allows virtually all access to preventive, curative and rehabilitative services at an affordable cost. This has lead the Japanese people to have an average life expectancy of about 82 years. All of this, and Japan still spends only 8.5% of their GDP on healthcare, that about half the percent of what the United States spends of its' own GDP on healthcare.
The government pays for 70% of health care costs, leaving patients to pick up the other 30%. However, if you meet a monthly cap on your co-payment, determined by your income and age, you do not have to pay your 30%, the government will pick up 100% of your costs.
Healthcare plans are picked by your employer, or if you are unemployed, the government will supply you with a plan. All citizens are required by law to have some kind of insurance coverage. In most cases, employers end up covering the 30% you would have to pay.
Japan has had universal health coverage since 1961. This coverage allows virtually all access to preventive, curative and rehabilitative services at an affordable cost. This has lead the Japanese people to have an average life expectancy of about 82 years. All of this, and Japan still spends only 8.5% of their GDP on healthcare, that about half the percent of what the United States spends of its' own GDP on healthcare.
The government pays for 70% of health care costs, leaving patients to pick up the other 30%. However, if you meet a monthly cap on your co-payment, determined by your income and age, you do not have to pay your 30%, the government will pick up 100% of your costs.
Healthcare plans are picked by your employer, or if you are unemployed, the government will supply you with a plan. All citizens are required by law to have some kind of insurance coverage. In most cases, employers end up covering the 30% you would have to pay.