Why America Should Learn From Cuba’s Health Care System

Since Cuba and the U.S. have opened relations again we can potentially learn a lot from their practices -- specifically health care. Their secret is focusing on prevention and the newest research and advancements.

U.S. doctors complain insurance and Medicare won't reimburse them for prevention. Advocates in America complain the poor don't have access to health care, even if prevention was covered.

In Cuba, the Polyclinic, a doctor-owned, multi- specialty clinic, is one of the main attractions. Although the nation is small, poor, and backwards in many ways, doctors are not in short supply. Each resident has access to their own doctor and even home visits if needed.

Although Cuba is still far behind on pretty much everything else, their health care is surprisingly very effective. As a product of their success, their life expectancy is right up there with the U.S. at 77 years, only one year short of the U.S.’s 78 year life expectancy, according to the CDC.

Restoring the eyesight of millions with cataracts is just one example of how Cuban doctors use their own kind of expertise to makes huge changes. They are not as profit-driven as U.S. physicians, but are driven by the desire to care for others and are willing to sacrifice for the greater good.

A recent study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) shows Cuba’s health care system is working so well because no matter how much money is spent on health, equality produces better health outcomes.