Unit VII Essay Instructions For this assignment, research a medical care system that is provided within a foreign country (not in the United States). For example, you can conduct an Internet search by

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Introduction:
The health care system is one of the critical elements of any given society. In this essay, we will examine the health care system in Germany. Germany, like many other countries, has a regulated health care system. It has mandatory health insurance that helps cater to almost every German citizen’s medical needs. The essay seeks to explore Germany’s medical system by comparing it to the United States system, workplace laws or regulations in place, legal and ethical perspectives, and whether free healthcare is a basic human right or not.

1. What country did you select, and how do they provide medical care to citizens?

I picked Germany, which has a regulated health care system. Germany has both private and public health care providers who work to ensure its population stays healthy. Its healthcare system is based on the social health insurance (SHI) system, and it’s mandatory for the population to purchase health insurance. The system is funded from an individual’s income, and the rates are calculated based on the person’s taxable wage or salary.

2. What do they offer or do not offer when compared to the United States system? Does their system appear “more ethical”?

Germany offers universal health care to all its citizens, unlike the United States system that does not guarantee universal coverage. In Germany, medical prescriptions and visits to a doctor are more affordable than in America due to the regulated pricing system. The German government has a more generous approach towards medical payouts compared to the United States system. Concerning the ethical standpoint, Germany’s health care system is not necessarily “more ethical” because it has a two-tier system. The two-tier system means individuals who can afford more expensive supplementary insurance get better coverage, thus benefitting from better healthcare systems.

3. What workplace laws or regulations are in place? How does law impact health care professionals of that country?

Germany’s workplace laws or regulations require all healthcare workers to hold relevant academic qualifications, such as Bachelor Degrees, from recognized institutions. The healthcare workers are also required to have clinical experience. German law impacts healthcare professionals positively and negatively. Positively, the German system’s regulated pricing ensures that healthcare professionals are reimbursed for their services, both public and private providers alike. Negatively, the law can limit the number of medical school intakes to ration the doctors’ services to ensure affordability.

4. Do you believe their laws contradict or support the professional obligations of a medical provider? What parameters are in place to address topics such as death and dying, quality of life issues, or right to life issues?

I think Germany’s laws generally support the professional obligation of healthcare providers. The regulated pricing allows healthcare providers to aid patients without fear of financial loss. Germany has a healthcare system where death and dying, quality of life issues, or right to life issues are put into consideration. German law allows patients to choose how they want to die by giving them the option, provided it occurs within legal boundaries.

5. As a leader in the medical community, do you believe that having free health care is a basic human right and you should advocate for free medical care? Support your position with an example based on legal or ethical perspectives.

I think that having free healthcare is a basic human right, and leaders in the medical community should advocate for it. One example is the ethical perspective, which seeks to provide equal medical care to all irrespective of social status. When we deny the poor and vulnerable access to medical care, it infringes on their human rights. Legally, countries that have adopted the United Nations International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights recognize health as a human right. Therefore, free healthcare could help curb social inequality within society.

In conclusion, Germany’s healthcare system is an excellent template for other countries. In comparison to the United States system, it offers wider coverage and more affordable medical services, ensuring equitable treatment for all citizens. Nonetheless, even though Germany’s healthcare system is not “more ethical,” it is more regulated to facilitate its citizens’ welfare. Germany considers medical laws and ethical values and therefore ensures that its citizens receive the best medical care.