Major Problems in the US Healthcare System
The first problem facing the US healthcare system is a poor government policy regarding health. The current policy allows the healthcare system to operate primarily in a capitalist system based on demand and supply. However, when an individual is either in a critical condition or above the age of 65, there is a policy change and the government intervenes (PBS, 2009). In most cases, the delay in intervention leads to the exacerbation of health problems, resulting in higher treatment costs. This policy not only leads to more suffering from the citizenry but also higher medical costs.
The second main problem facing this healthcare system is a dysfunctional insurance industry. A system is dysfunctional of even experts in the same system have a problem operating within the system as reflected in the film. Further, individuals who are poor, lose their jobs or even get sick lose the support of the insurance system at the moment when they need it the most (PBS, 2009). Medical insurance is supposed to create peace of mind but the American version does not bring peace to its members.
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Finally, the US healthcare system is inordinately expensive. Part of the cost comes from the high level of skill and technology within the system. However, as indicated in the film, some professionals earn too much which some corporate players seek to rake in too high profits (PBS, 2009).
Why It has not been Fixed
I believe that the first problem, a poor policy is also the reason why all the government has not fixed any of the problems. In a capitalist society, industry players cannot fix a problem that is profitable to them. The problems outlined above make more money for clinicians, companies that run hospitals and insurance companies. These players cannot actively try to solve the problem if the solution limits their profits. Only the government can solve the problem through the change of laws and policy improvement. However, there is a lack of political goodwill to make the necessary changes (PBS, 2009). Unless the political climate changes through politicians who are willing to stand up to the big corporations that control the healthcare system, the problem will continue.
Opinion on Universal Healthcare
Universal healthcare is the only viable and effective solution to the failing healthcare system in the USA. The instant film presents a glimpse of what America under universal care looks like. Google has a universal cover for its employees that ensures that whatever medical emergency the employees and their families undergo, the employer-sponsored insurance pays the bill. As indicated in the film, due to insurance cover, employees have a better quality of life which makes them better motivated and engaged at work (PBS, 2009). Subsequently, Google is one of the most profitable companies in the world. The same could happen to America under universal healthcare. All citizens would be better motivated and engaged to work due to a better quality of life, which would boost the economy. Further, just as healthcare costs do not affect Google’s profitability, universal health would not inordinately burden the US government.
If the Government Should Provide Healthcare for Working People
The US government should provide healthcare for working people because it makes business sense. Indeed, it is for the same reason that Google provides healthcare for its employees. Working people will be able to focus more on their jobs of they are not worried about their potential healthcare costs or if they have a sick family member (PBS, 2009). Providing healthcare costs for working people would increase their productivity, which would, in turn, expand the economy and increase taxes.
If the Government Should Provide Healthcare for People who cannot Work
The government should provide universal healthcare for people who cannot work because it is right and also for economic reasons. Beginning with the economic perspective, early intervention and herd immunity are cost-cutting measures in public health. Providing insurance for people who cannot work would enable clinicians to treat conditions in this population segment before they exacerbate, thus cutting on costs. Further, timely treatment and preventative care would increase herd immunity thus reducing the propensity for disease and lowering the overall cost of healthcare (Al Rowas, 2017). From an ethical perspective, as indicated in the film, the USA is the only developed nation in the world where people put off urgently needed medical care because they cannot afford it. It is ethically wrong to propagate suffering for pecuniary reasons, yet the US has the most powerful economy in the world.
The Best Solution for America’s Failing Healthcare System
The best solution for the failing US healthcare system is a change of policy that involves embracing universal healthcare. A policy change by the government will trickle down to all segments of the healthcare system as only an absolute overhaul can solve the failure in the system (Goldfischer, 2017). For example, under a universal healthcare approach, insurance companies would have to negotiate with a single entity, the US government as its main client. Under such an approach, the cost of insurance would drop significantly due to oversight from bodies such as the US Congress. Secondly, such as approach would expand the clientele for hospitals and allied industries such as pharmaceutical industries and manufacturers of allied equipment. Under the concept of economies of scale, a larger customer pool would reduce costs (Goldfischer, 2017). Finally, universal healthcare would eventually lower the cost of healthcare through early intervention and herd immunity. The US healthcare system is failing because of piecemeal solutions to segments of the problem. For example, due to the Affordable Care Act, uninsured Americans dropped to record lows of 10.9% in 2016 the suddenly increased to 11.7% in the first quarter of 2017. The obvious cause of the turnaround was a change of government at the beginning of 2017. Instead of short term solutions, the government should adopt an absolute change in policy through the adoption of universal primary health for all American citizens and residents.
References
Al Rowas, S., Rothberg, M. B., Johnson, B., Miller, J., Al Mahmoud, M., Friderici, J., ... & Lagu, T. (2017). The association between insurance type and cost-related delay in care: a survey. The American journal of managed care , 23 (7), 435.
Goldfischer, D. (2017). The Pursuit of Inclusive Prosperity, Universal Health Care, and Stronger Democracy. American journal of public health , 107 (8), 1198.
PBS. (2009). S2009 E6: Sick Around America: FRONTLINE. Retrieved from https://www.pbssocal.org/programs/frontline/frontline-sick-around-america/
