On March 23, 2010, Xinhuanet published an article in the international commentary "Inspiration from the "Breaking Through" of U.S. Health Care Reform". The summary is as follows:
The U.S. health insurance system has long been criticized. . On the one hand, almost all developed countries in the world have established universal health insurance systems. The United States, the world's strongest country, is an exception. 46 million people are still excluded from the health insurance system. The inclusiveness and fairness of its health insurance system have been severely affected. to question. On the other hand, in terms of medical expenditure, medical technology, medical quality and service level, the United States leads the world in health care resources and levels. However, its superior resources have not been translated into high efficiency of the medical system and the health of its citizens. A survey by the World Health Organization shows that among the 191 countries surveyed, the United States ranks 72nd in terms of overall national health and 55th in terms of fairness in medical financing distribution.
An important reason why the United States has been unable to achieve “full coverage” of medical insurance for many years is the design of its medical insurance system, which is dominated by commercial insurance. Commercial medical insurance first emphasizes risk control and profit, which leads insurance companies to consider too many commercial factors when selecting customer groups and designing premiums. This system that is completely based on market selection will inevitably lead to some vulnerable groups being excluded from medical insurance. outside. Some of these people are new immigrants, small owners or workers in small businesses, etc. Their income stability is low, and the price of commercial medical insurance often makes them unaffordable. There are also some people who are in poor health or have pre-existing medical conditions. Commercial medical insurance is priced higher in the market environment, so they also choose not to purchase medical insurance. Once the disease strikes, many families are left destitute. At the same time, the interest groups formed under this system also make policy adjustments difficult. Obama's health care reform is to achieve "full coverage" of the medical insurance system through strong government intervention.
On the 23rd, Hong Kong Wen Wei Po published an editorial "A new page in US health care reform, and its experience is worth learning from Hong Kong." The editorial said that U.S. health care reform involves intricate political and economic relationships, but Obama finally withstood the pressure and successfully passed legislation to reverse the shortcomings of high investment and insufficient protection in the health care system. The U.S. experience can provide inspiration for Hong Kong’s medical financing, especially in regulating insurance institutions and premiums.
On the 25th, Hong Kong Ta Kung Pao published a signed article "It's Too Early for Obama to Celebrate the "Victory" of Health Care Reform". The article stated that as Obama solemnly signed the document, the health care reform plan finally became law. It is not an exaggeration to say "victory", but looking to the future, the road to the implementation of health care reform is still full of thorns and obstacles, and Obama is still far away from the final "victory." A smokeless war between democracy, democracy and the two parties over health care reform has just begun.
On the 25th, Butch Zima, president of American Elite Insurance Company, pointed out in an exclusive interview with a reporter from Xinhua News Agency in Chicago that although the health insurance reform bill just signed by U.S. President Obama has positive parts, it has no impact on medical care. The overall reform of the insurance system is something the United States simply cannot afford, and it will cause many problems for the United States.