Universal Healthcare for the U.S
Universal health care or coverage is basically a health system that provides coverage to its citizens irrespective of color, race, age, gender, pre-existing conditions and wealth. This means that every legal American citizen will have the access to medical cover. The fundamental reason for a universal medical coverage is to give every American resident the opportunity of health without necessarily being worried of the financial hardship or constraints. This means that low, medium and high income earners in America would be to access health care services irrespective of their wealth status. Currently, the privatized system is very expensive and denies medium and low income earners the chance to access proper health care services. According to Rudiger (2015) every one in three American citizens struggle to pay their medical bills.
The adoption of universal health coverage by the United States would have various positive impacts on American citizens, businesses and the government. Firstly, universal health coverage system in the United States would promote fairness and equity (Rudiger, 2015). Low income earners would be able to access health services just like the wealthy individuals. They would not have to be worried incase where they have illnesses that could be too expensive. For example, a low or medium income earner with long term or specialty care illnesses would get proper care. Similarly, patients with mental and substance abuse issues would be able to equally access care considering the fact that these disorder are sometimes expensive. In addition, a low income earner would not be troubled by the expenses incurred for inpatient care. Generally, there would be just access of health care and poverty reduction due to reasonable medical costs paid by American citizens.
Secondly, the government could significantly reduce on its healthcare spending. According to Leonard (2016) the United States government spent 1.9 trillion dollars in 2013 on health. On a combined factor, the total spending for both public and privately funded totaled to 9,267 per person. This means that the government spends more on these funded programs such Medicaid for low earners and Medicare for disabled and seniors. With universal health coverage, this pending would be reduced since everyone would be able to share costs. For example, people with vision and hearing problems are mostly associated with elderly. This means that before reaching the elderly age no American is eligible for Medicare. With a universal system, everyone with such problems would equally access health care.
Thirdly, universal coverage may help small businesses grow and become profitable. Small businesses pay expensive insurance premiums due to the fact that they have few employees to qualify for low or discounted premium rates. On the other hand, large businesses access these discounted rates due to the large number of employees they have. This is a disadvantage to small businesses to keep or attract quality personnel. With universal systems, health covers would be at equitable and discounted rates for every employee. As such, small businesses would attract quality personnel, increase gains and eventually stimulate America’s economic growth. Additionally, hospitals and doctors would not be worried about payments and insurance procedures. With a universal coverage, medical equipments would be provided to health facilities. Similarly, doctors would be able to provide treatments and diagnosis equitably for all citizens.
Considering the above benefits of universal care, it would be prudent to introduce a health care taxation system that is reasonable based on the income earned by American taxpayers. Adoption of a universal health system would definitely change America’s health system making it the best by equitable health access for all and stimulation economic growth.
References
Leonard, K. (2016). Could Universal Health Care Save U.S Taxpayers Money? Retrieved from http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/data-mine/2016/01/22/could-universal-health-care-save-us-taxpayers-money.
Rudiger, A. (2015). Why Universal Health care Is Essential for a More Equitable Society. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anja-rudiger/universal-health-care_b_6973164.html.