The Inadequate Healthcare System - Essay Example

Had you included the outline I would have followed it. However, these are new instructions requiring a new essay as per our revision policy. As for the rest, I have already addressed your questions. Student name Instructor name Course name Date The Case for Universal Healthcare Introduction That the inadequate healthcare system needs a significant an immediate overhaul is undeniable. Health care professionals understand the problems associated with the failing system more so than anyone and are the first to voice their concerns. Americans of all political ideologies agree too many individuals and families are uninsured or underinsured and that health care costs are higher than necessary but Republican and Democratic lawmakers disagree on the solution. Ideology Issue Unlike other industrialized countries, economic status plays a major role in determining health status for Americans, a despicable circumstance in the minds of Europeans who enjoy cradle-to-grave medical care. They consider it a birthright. Taking care of the nations sick without regard to their social position is a responsibility civilized society’s embrace, at least those outside the U.S. The Republican solution is to give tax incentives to individuals and businesses that purchase health insurance but this would not address the root of the problem. Even people with insurance are limited to the care they receive, many times dependent on bureaucrats instead of physicians to determine treatment. The Case for Universal Healthcare The Dems Proposal Democrats favor what is termed as a ‘single payer’ system, otherwise referred to as universal health care, a more efficient system that covers everyone, essentially emulating a similar approach employed by Britain, Canada, Cuba, Brazil, Russia, Japan, western European countries and many other nations. Implementing universal health care will significantly reduce the burden of escalating healthcare costs to working families and eliminate the quality of care divide in this country that exists between wealthy and the other 95 percent of the population. Addressing Fear Mongering Most Americans identify the health care crisis is one of the main concerns facing the nation as evidenced by the amount of rhetoric allocated to this issue in the current presidential debates, at least on the Democratic side. The majority of Americans concurs with the majority of the world’s population in that a society has the responsibility to care for its sick and injured without regardless of their financial status. Those opposed to universal health care such as insurance and pharmaceutical companies have characterized this system as ‘socialized medicine.’ This moniker elicits fears of communist ideals, the ‘red menace’ creeping into American society. Universal health care, however, cannot be accurately describes as socialized medicine. Few, if any, are opposed to socialized police, fire, military and ambulance services or would want to privatize the public school system. Americans of all political leanings are willing to finance these important services yet some, those influenced by the fear-mongering of insurance and pharmaceutical lobbying efforts, would deny health care delivered by the same method. Meeting the health needs of people is as or more important than the other services currently supplied in a socialistic means. In a universal, or single-payer, health care system, the government accumulates tax monies from individuals and businesses to finance health care facilities that are freely open to everyone. Implementing such a system would mean an end to Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO’s) and insurance companies that provide health insurance, a fact few are heartbroken about. Universal health care is not simply a humanitarian concern which alone would be reason enough to rally support for it but continuing with the present system will push many more families to the brink of financial ruin as well. New Day, New Concepts Medical bills were of little concern to families in the 1950’s but the medical technology seems archaic by today’s standards. Half a century ago, a person’s lifespan was approximately 68 where today, it is a decade longer. Those in their 40’s today can reasonably expect to see their 80th birthday. Most, presumably, would prefer to spend more money to live longer which is what has happened. From this perspective, healthcare could be considered a good return on an investment. The benefits and costs of healthcare are not unrelated yet many do not understand why they have to pay more than they did equivalent to the 1950’s or even to 1999. People generally consider healthcare costs to be a commodity in the same way they think of electricity or gasoline where price has little bearing on the quality of the product. Setting Priorities If health insurance costs continue the present trend of increasing, the costs will soon be prohibitive for employers and their employees alike. Spending money on consumer goods stimulates the economy and it is viewed as a patriotic in an abstract sense. Taking on a mortgage on a house is an investment but healthcare is considered simply a cost. If it rises to the point where very few can afford it, the lives of the majority will be cut short. Which is more important, to go on a spending spree at the mall, buy a bigger house or live another decade or so? It seems the country’s priorities are misplaced. At present, about 45 million Americans are without healthcare insurance and that number rises everyday due to the escalating costs. Healthcare costs can be cut but the crisis seems not to be among the country’s priorities. Behind the Curve Universal heal care will eliminate the financial burden to the elderly, poor and middle class families. Opponents to the plan make the argument that people are not entitled to health care. This view is in the vast minority compared to the rest of the world and the U.S. as well yet reflects the reality in the country. Opponents also claim universal health care would be prohibitively costly. Currently, the U.S. is the only industrialized, ‘civilized’ country that allows its citizens to be refused health care due to their inability to pay. This embarrassing circumstance would be eliminated by implementing universal health care and the government would save hundreds of billions every year. Conclusion Other than insurance and pharmaceutical companies, all would benefit. Individuals would profit both financially and medically and government on the state and federal level could divert the monies spent now on the broken health care system to social programs that would further benefit society as a whole. Patients would not be forced to choose from a list of doctors unlike the current system and would not have to rely on a bean-counting to decide to what extent or if their condition will be covered by insurance. Americans are needlessly suffering and dying while vast amounts of money is being wasted, all for no reason other than the stubbornness of the leaders of the country to address the problem. It’s not because universal health care does not make sense economically or politically. The insurance and pharmaceutical industries are large contributors to politicians and have the funds to bombard the media with self-serving propaganda designed scare people into continuing the current failed system. Americans should be appalled and ashamed at the system and themselves for being so blindly manipulated. Outline: I. Introduction II. Ideology Issue III. The Case for Universal Healthcare A. The Dems Proposal B. Addressing Fear Mongering IV. New Day, New Concepts A. Setting Priorities B. Behind the Curve V. Conclusion Read More