Introduction
“Where to Invade Next” is a 2015 documentary film directed by Michael Moore. The film explores various European social and economic systems and how they could benefit the United States. Moore visits countries such as Italy, France, Germany, and Iceland to highlight programs and policies related to education, healthcare, and workers’ rights. The film raises questions about American exceptionalism and the ability of the U.S. to learn from other nations. Overall, “Where to Invade Next” presents a critical look at American society and politics while offering a hopeful and inspiring vision for a better future. The documentary begins with a statement that seems to indicate that the United States is incapable of producing operative answers to the social issues it continues to face. Hence, Moore visits other countries to borrow a leaf from them to answer various issues in his country of origin. The film evaluates the French healthcare system, which is influenced by various cultural, political, and economic forces.
In the film, Moore highlights the benefits of the French healthcare system, such as longer hospital stays, more one-on-one time with physicians, and the availability of comprehensive preventive care services. He also mentions that the French have a lower infant mortality rate and longer life expectancy than the United States. The French healthcare system emphasizes preventative care, which leads to fewer hospitalizations and fewer chronic diseases.
Political Forces
Political forces have shaped the French healthcare system over time. Political ideology, interest groups, and historical events have all played a role in fashioning, swaying, and nourishing the French healthcare system (Geeraert, 2018). For example, the French tradition of a strong central administration and a belief in universal access to healthcare has helped to produce and sustain a comprehensive national health insurance system. This system is funded through payroll taxes and is open to all residents of France, regardless of income or health status. Interest groups, such as doctors and hospitals, have also wielded sway in the French healthcare system by calling for policies that benefit their members. For instance, the powerful medical lobby has effectively pushed for higher compensation rates for doctors and has shaped the rules governing the healthcare industry.
Economic Forces
Various economic forces have also informed the French healthcare system. The country’s government spends around 11% of its GDP on healthcare compared to the United States is significantly less which is estimated to spend around 18% of its GDP. However, the French healthcare system is considered one of the best in the world. The French healthcare system is designed in a way that encourages competition as the system has numerous private healthcare providers that compete with the public sector, thus leading to increased efficiency and innovation in the sector (Rodwin, 2018). Additionally, the healthcare system in France has implemented various cost control measures, including negotiations with pharmaceutical companies to maintain the system’s financial sustainability.
Cultural Forces
Cultural forces have played a major role in creating, influencing, and sustaining this system (Geeraert, 2018). This includes nationalism which has been a driving force in the development of the healthcare system as the French believe that access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right of all citizens and is an essential component of their national identity. The laissez-faire attitude, which emphasizes personal freedom and autonomy, has also helped sustain the healthcare system’s private sector. Many French people are willing to pay for private medical services to receive more personalized and less bureaucratic care. Additionally, the French have a strong prominence on preventive care, which is reflected in their healthcare system, as they believe that it is better to prevent illnesses from occurring than to treat them after they have developed.
In contrast, the American healthcare system is market-based, where insurance companies are the main providers of care. The American system is often condemned for being expensive and unreachable to many people. The cost of healthcare in the United States is among the highest in the world, and many citizens scrap to afford insurance. This often results in individuals forgoing necessary medical treatment, which leads to poor health outcomes and higher hospitalization rates. Economic, cultural, and political forces also inform the American healthcare system.
Economic Forces
Since its inception, economic forces have played an important role in shaping the American healthcare system. Economic forces have influenced the growth and development of the American healthcare system by driving the demand for new and innovative medical treatments, drugs, and technologies (Haas et al., 2020). This has led to a substantial upsurge in healthcare spending and the growth of the healthcare industry. Additionally, economic forces have sustained the American healthcare system by providing the necessary funding to support ongoing research and development in the field. Additionally, healthcare insurance companies, hospitals, and other providers rely on the country’s economic conditions to generate revenue and maintain profitability.
Political Forces
Various political forces have also shaped and influenced the American healthcare system. These political forces include Government involvement, which has also been instrumental in shaping the American healthcare system (Haas et al., 2020). As recently as 2010, the government passed the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which aims to expand access to healthcare and improve the quality of care for millions of Americans. The Private sector, including insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, and hospitals, has significantly impacted the American healthcare system. They have been able to shape policies and regulations through lobbying and campaign contributions, allowing them to maintain their dominant position in the market.
Cultural Forces
Cultural forces have played a significant role in the American healthcare system’s creation, influence, and sustainability (Wagner, 2021). They have shaped how healthcare is perceived, delivered, and financed in the United States. Some of the key cultural forces that have influenced the American healthcare system include Individualism in American culture which has resulted in a healthcare system primarily focused on individual choice and autonomy. Consumerism has also influenced the healthcare system by encouraging patients to act as consumers and to demand access to high-quality, cost-effective healthcare services. This has led to a system characterized by competition, innovation, and cost-containment measures.
Recommendations
To improve the current American healthcare system, I would recommend various measures that would profoundly benefit the system. These recommendations include Increase access to care which can be done by expanding Medicaid coverage, increasing subsidies for private insurance, and ensuring that everyone has admittance to affordable health insurance (Wagner, 2021)—reducing costs which can be achieved through measures such as increasing competition among healthcare providers, negotiating lower prices for drugs and medical devices, and reducing administrative costs associated with healthcare billing and insurance. Additionally, I would recommend strengthening the primary care system, which can involve increasing the number of primary care physicians, expanding the scope of practice for nurse practitioners and physician assistants, and improving the coordination of care between primary care providers and specialists.
In conclusion, the French healthcare system has been informed by various factors, categorized into either economic, political, or social forces. Despite spending less money, France has one of the best healthcare systems in the world. The American healthcare system is market-based, where insurance companies are the main care providers. Additionally, it has been affected by various cultural practices, such as individualism, which has emphasized individual choice and autonomy. Numerous ideas can be implemented to improve the current system in America, including strengthening the primary care system, among others. Bottom of Form
References
Geeraert, J. (2018). Healthcare Reforms and the Creation of Ex‐/Included Categories of Patients—“Irregular Migrants” and the “Undesirable” in the French Healthcare System. International Migration, 56(2), 68–81.
Haas, S. M., Janumpally, S., & Kouns, B. L. (2020). The Economics of Health: An Overview of the American Healthcare System. Evaluating Challenges and Opportunities for Healthcare Reform, 100-124.
Rodwin, V. I. C. T. O. R. (2018). The French health care system. World Hosp Health Serv, 54(1), 49–55.
Wagner, S. L. (2021). The United States healthcare system: overview, driving forces, and outlook for the future. Health Administration Press.
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