Comparison of healthcare systems in Russia and the USA. Analysis of their effectiveness before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

The rapid spread of COVID-19 has become a real test for the global health system. Doctors in almost all countries are faced with a shortage of hospital beds for patients, as well as medical equipment and medicines. In this regard, questions become relevant about how the Russian healthcare system has shown itself in comparison with other states, what Russian doctors can teach foreign colleagues and what new and useful our doctors can learn from foreign ones. The purpose of the study is to compare the healthcare systems of Russia and the United States, the countries with the most developed economies in the world, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. To do this, the article analyzes the organization and financing of healthcare in Russia and the United States before the COVID-19 pandemic and describes the measures taken by the governments of both countries to adapt the healthcare system to the conditions of the pandemic. In conclusion, the paper concludes on the viability of the healthcare systems of Russia and the United States and provides recommendations for improving their effectiveness.