U.S. health care is very different from that in most other countries, as you have seen this week. Financial management is probably one of the greatest differences. However, every country has challenges and strengths, depending on how their health care systems are financed.

Some may face unique challenges, such as universal coverage, unsafe care, fragmented care, impoverished care or misdirected care, for instance.

Reforms needed in health care systems should be country specific. In this assignment, you will have the opportunity to compare and contrast the U.S. health care services and financing to that of other countries. Understanding the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of each country and its health needs help guide the reformation process.

To prepare for this assignment, read the following from your course text, Introduction to U.S. Health Care:

Chapter 3, "Health Care Provision"

Chapter 4, "Financing the U.S. Heath Care System"

Also search the Internet for information about how to do a SWOT analysis.

Explore the supplemental interactive media, Health Care Financing.

This assignment has two parts.

This part of the assignment is an individual effort.

Using your assigned country (Assigned Country is India) from the beginning of the course, compare its health care services and financing to U.S. health care services and financing. Write up a SWOT analysis matrix format with 2-4 comments per box. Write a short paragraph of approximately 200 words summarizing your analysis.

A SWOT Analysis is a strategic planning assessment tool that provides helpful information in matching an organization's resources and capabilities to its competitive environment by classifying internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) such as staffing, and the external factors in a strategic environment (opportunities and threats) such as the economy.