The question of whether or not to have universal healthcare in United States has been quite controversial. There are those who believe that considering the current problems facing the country in provision of healthcare to all people, it would be better to have universal healthcare system to ensure that all Americans have access to healthcare. However, there have been many attempts to establish universal healthcare in United States but all have flopped due to different reason among them continued control of healthcare by private companies which have stood on the way of implementation of government policies that would ensure healthcare access to all Americans. Provision of universal healthcare would be in pursuit of American dream since all Americans would live in country where they are free and can access healthy life. Considering the current problems faced in healthcare, a universal healthcare system would be the best strategy for the country.
United States should have universal healthcare systemUniversal healthcare is a system of healthcare which is organized on having a single player in the healthcare sector. It is based on the principle of universal healthcare coverage for all people. Universal healthcare system, which is found in most socialist states, is based on the need to have universal health coverage for all members of the society (Reinhardt 9). It combines the mechanism of healthcare financing and provision of free health service by the government. According to the World Health Organization, access to primary health care is considered a fundamental right for all people. This means that although World Health Organization recognizes the difficulties that are faced in provision of healthcare for all people, it roots for the need to have a universal healthcare system. Universal healthcare system varies from one national to the other depending on how the system is designed. It may provide full medical coverage for all people or it may provide partial coverag e where people are supposed to pay for a part of the healthcare cost. Whether or not to have a universal healthcare system in United States has been a widely contested issue. There are those who feel that there is need to have a universal healthcare system that takes care of the needs of all citizens and there are others who feel that the current healthcare system is working alright. Since the turn of the 20th century, United State healthcare system has undergone several changes in a bid to provide universal coverage but it has been met by resistance from the main players in the industry who want to maintain status quo. However, it is evident hat the current healthcare system is not working as expected. There are millions of people who cannot meet the cost of their healthcare care as the cost of healthcare keeps on rising. The current healthcare system in the country is complex and it takes in many players who make it difficult to be controlled (John and Justine). In additio n, it is strictly controlled by medical procession with little government control. As a result it has become difficult to control the cost of healthcare which keeps on rising on daily bases (Fen and William 80). This is means that there is need to carry out healthcare reforms that will ensure that United States acquire universal healthcare coverage.
Why do we need reforms in healthcare system? In the last few decades, Americans have witnessed an increase in the cost of healthcare such that it has become difficult for most Americans to afford the cost of basic healthcare premium. Based on health insurance system, United States has one of the most expensive healthcare systems in the world with a growing number of people who cannot afford to meet the cost of rising healthcare (John and Justine). Health insurance premiums have been on the rise growing at an average of double digit percentage points in the last five years. Economist have pointed out that the cost of healthcare premiums has been growing at a rate that is 2-3 times the rate of inflation, which means not most Americans are able to afford the cost of health insurance (Reinhardt 9). Although this problem is mainly confined in low income American, recent economic downturn has revealed the vulnerability of American healthcare system. There are more middle-class A mericans who have been netted into the problem. At the same time, rising health care cost is also becoming major burden for employers. Most employers are not in position to meet the rising cost of healthcare services. Consequently, the total number of employers providing health insurance coverage for their employees has decreased from 69% in 2000 to 60% in 2005 (Borger 70). It is postulated that rising cost of healthcare is one of the main reason why growing number of manufacturers are folding their operations and investing in other countries. To get a glimpse of simple statistics major employers in United States are feeling the pinch of rising healthcare cost. General Motors, one of the largest manufacturers in United States spends approximately $5.6B every year in healthcare (ADA). This is approximately $1,500 for every car the company produces. Chrysler spends more than $2.3B on healthcare which means that the company spends more on healthcare than it does on steel (ADA). Ford spends about $10.6B on healthcare (ADA). This is just direct employee healthcare cost and this is not close to the amount these companies spend on healthcare pension cost and pass-through costs for the current and retired employees (ADA). This is just a glimpse of the burden of healthcare cost for the manufacturing sector in the country. This means that if there is no steps that will be taken soon, there will be continued loss of American jobs as more companies plans to outsource their service in order to reduce the amount of expenses on employee healthcare. With most employers now eroding their healthcare coverage for their workers, there has been increased enrollment in Medicaid.
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