What are the positive and negative aspects of the US Health Care System - Coursework Example

One side of the debates that seems to have come out clearly has it that most Americans are reluctant to pay additional taxes to fund the public health care system that would, if well managed, meet the basic health needs of every American. On the other side of the debate we have micro and macro level problems that are associated with a pay-for-care, profit making health care system. Some pundits are of the view that no matter the political debate in regard to this matter, our system is flawed and is in serious need of an urgent overhaul.

This paper attempts to thoroughly examine the system from a sociological point of view by viewing it through the lenses of the major sociological theories. Both positive and the negative aspects of the system as it is today are highlighted with the hope that the mandated changes and improvements under the stewardship of President Obamas Affordable Care Act. $2.6 trillion were spent on health care in the year 2010. But such amazing facts do not shadow the huge difference that exists in the health care given to Americans.

Health, or even lack of it was at some point merely attributed to natural and biological conditions like poor hygiene( Carayon 76). Sociologists have in the past demonstrated the fact that the spread of diseases is, by and large, influenced by the individuals’ socioeconomic status, ethnic beliefs or traditions, and many other factors. According to Niles (147), in cases where a medical researcher provides statistics on a particular disease or illness, a sociologist would provide a perspective and insight on the illness and the external factors that led to it.

Private sector owns and operates majority of the health care facilities while the government sector is responsible for health insurance. It was reported by the U.S. Census Bureau that in the year 2009 that about 17% of the population was uninsured. USA spends more money than any other country on per person health care. Although a huge number of Americans