OECD Review Compares Health Spending and Insurance Models in US, UK, and Canada
What happened
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development reported that U.S. health spending reached 17.2% of gross domestic product in 2024. In comparison, health spending was 11.3% of GDP in Canada and 11.1% in the United Kingdom, against an OECD average of 9.3%. The report detailed how different countries divide financing and delivery across their health systems.
From econotimes.com
Why it matters
The varying health spending ratios highlight different economic approaches to healthcare provision. In England, the National Health Service is funded by national taxes, while in Canada, public plans are tax-funded but supplemented by private insurance covering 69% of the population in 2023.
From econotimes.com
Who's involved
- EnglandThe geographic location where the National Health Service operates and is funded by national taxes.
- National Health ServiceThe publicly-funded healthcare system in the United Kingdom that is funded by national taxes.
- Keir StarmerThe political leader whose policy actions are linked to the operational status of the National Health Service.
- Department of Health and Social CareThe government department that formally oversees and regulates the National Health Service.
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- National Health ServiceSpeculative
The National Health Service might see changes in funding or costs depending on policy decisions made by the Department of Health and Social Care.
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The entities involved
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Netherlands
one of the four autonomous countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; with territories in the Caribbean
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England
country in north-west Europe, part of the United Kingdom
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National Health Service
publicly-funded healthcare systems in the United Kingdom