| Theme | Curent Status and Problem of Long Term Care Insurance System for Dialyzed Patients | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Long-term care system in Europe and USA | |
| Publish Date | 2001/12 | |
| Author | Susumu Takahashi | Nihon University Graduate School of Grobal Business |
| [ Summary ] | Western countries and especially Japan now need to take urgent measures to detail with healthcare issues, including pension plans and welfare for the elderly. At present, only three countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, and Japan have the public long term care insurance systems. Germany and the Netherlands have the public long term care insurances plans which were started in 1994. In Germany and the Netherlands, the governments have encouraged family care by providing the family with care subsidies, which has helped to cut care expenses government funded by half. This system has been working well until recently, however, a problem has arisen. Germany now has fewer young people and a higher number of older people, who are in need of long term care. According to the 1999 preliminary report of the German Federal Insurance Agency, expenses exceeded revenues from insurance premiums, resulting in approximately a DM 1 billion deficit. On the other hand, in the Netherlands, as well as Japan, the government is now trying the relieve families of the burden of long term care by encouraging the use of professional caretakers from public insurances or private companies. As a result, the expenses for these caretakers accounts for 5% of GDP. In France, health care is considered to be part of the welfare system, while in the US is considered to be a part of the medical system. In reality, each country has its only financial problems. |
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