University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies releases whitepaper comparing U.S. health system to Italy's single payer model
By Sharla Hooper
Dr. Stephen Notaro examines the challenges and opportunities of two widely diverging health care systems
University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies announces the release of a whitepaper providing a closer look at the U.S. health system in comparison with Italy’s single payer health system in areas relating to cost and coverage, services and resources, and health outcomes to advance the debate on options for the American healthcare system: “U.S. vs. Italy’s Single-Payer Health System: Enlarging the Perspective.”
The whitepaper, authored by Stephen Notaro, Ph.D., acknowledges wide discrepancies in the U.S. public’s understanding and the health care providers’ perspectives on the merits of single payer types of health care systems and universal coverage. While comparisons of the U.S. health care system are often made to the single payer Canadian health system and the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom, fewer comparisons have been published on the high-ranking Italian health system, a single-payer system modeled after the NHS. This whitepaper attempts to remedy this by offering a closer look in areas relating to cost and coverage, services and resources, and health outcomes, and examines the challenges and opportunities of two widely diverging systems and the possibilities of what U.S. may be missing.
“Lessons learned from Italy include that all residents can have insurance coverage, that health care costs can be lower than in the US, and that the population can enjoy a relatively higher level of health. The Italians accomplish this with a much higher proportion of the population over the age of 65, who are known to have higher health care costs,” states Notaro. “While it seems highly unlikely that the U.S. could adopt an Italian style single health care system, the U.S. may benefit more in the current moment by focusing on policies that improve the health of the population, particularly for disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.”
Notaro teaches courses in research design, leadership theory, and serves on the Advancing Community, Critical Thinking, Scholarship, and Success (ACCESS) program and dissertation committees in the College of Doctoral Studies at University of Phoenix. He earned a Doctorate in healthcare policy and administration at University of Illinois, a master’s degree in public administration, and a bachelor’s degree in health administration. Notaro has 11 years of professional experience in health planning and health care consulting and 15 years of management experience.
The full whitepaper is available at the College of Doctoral Studies Center for Leadership Studies and Organizational Leadership webpage or as a direct link here.
About the College of Doctoral Studies
University of Phoenix’s College of Doctoral Studies focuses on today’s challenging business and organizational needs, from addressing critical social issues to developing solutions to accelerate community building and industry growth. The College’s research program puts students in the center of an effective ecosystem of experts, resources and tools to help prepare them to be a leader in their organization, industry and community. Through this program, students and researchers work with organizations to conduct research that can be applied in the workplace in real time.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is continually innovating to help working adults enhance their careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, and Career Services for Life® help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.
