The Dutch appear most satisfied with their system and Americans the least satisfied, according to a new survey of 10 industrialized countries

Harris Interactive combined results of three different polls to come up with citizen ratings of their national health care system (or lack of it).

The Dutch rated their system tops although 70% of their French said their system was the envy of the world.

The Dutch system is rather new -- they contribute payroll taxes into a central fund, then receive a voucher to buy coverage from nonprofit or for-profit private insurers. This actually sounds a lot like some of the proposals in this country for a voucher system.

France has a very expensive healthcare system which costs 11% of it GDP. There is a high priority on good access to both primary care and specialist care, with an accent on patient choice. Their system is financed largely from taxes but patients also chip in copays with no deductibles.

Americans spend much more in terms of GDP (16%) and yet feel that they are not getting their money’s worth. Prices are high, the number of uninsured is high, and even those with insurance must dip deep into their own pockets to pay bills. They are also stressed by the prospect of losing health coverage if they lose their jobs -- in the current recession, that is a justifiable fear. While they generally love their doctors, the hassles of buying insurance and handling claims makes them lose confidence in the whole private pay scenario.

Countries polled included, the U.S., Holland, France, Great Britain, Italy, Germany, Spain, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

The full story is at MarketWatch here -- http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid=86f29d04fc2d466fadf62435468ce406&siteid=nwtpf&sguid=LlmgTGWqaUW33IjDVFDo2Q