Descriptively, universal healthcare is a system offered by the federal government to all citizens that proffers quality medical services to them regardless of their ability to pay. Contrary to some beliefs and similarities, Obamacare is not universal healthcare.
Pros
Unlike other plans, universal healthcare is cheap in the sense that it lowers the economic health care costs. This is because the government has the autonomy to determine the price of medication as well as medical services through regulation and negotiation. On the same accord, universal healthcare gets rid of administrative costs, especially those that relate to different private health insurers. Further, the doctors only deal with the government as the regulator, unlike other plans that incorporate several private insurance players. Also, because universal healthcare is managed and regulated by the government, hospitals and practitioners are forced to provide the same level of quality service, but at a reduced cost.
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Cons
One of the main drawbacks of universal healthcare that raises much debate is the fact that it forces individuals to pay for others’ medical care, especially those with chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart problems which consume eighty-five percent of the healthcare costs, (Merhar, 2014). Moreover, with universal healthcare which is to an extent free; individuals may not be as careful with their health as opposed to if they had to pay for it. As such, the health outcomes of American society may decline precariously. Therefore, without the financial incentive to pay for their health, some individuals might overuse emergency and other medical services thereby overworking the physicians and taking up time that could have been used to deal with serious emergencies. Because the government essentially curbs expenses by limiting payment amounts, the doctors are less motivated to provide quality care, especially if they get low or demeaning wages. Ultimately, because of the government’s need to cut expenses, most hospitals lack adequate funding for equipment and other life-determining technologies.
Position
Indeed, the universal healthcare system is fundamental and should be generalized because it caters for the poor and those earning below or just above the federal poverty line and cannot afford private insurance. By proffering universal healthcare to all individuals including the poor, a healthier workforce is created thereby bolstering the nation’s economy. However, due to the drawbacks mentioned above and the lack of obligation and incentive by individuals to pay for their health insurance, the government should adopt the single-payer universal healthcare system variant. Here, the citizens are taxed to pay for healthcare without involving third parties such as private insurers. This will bridge the lack of responsibility in citizens when healthcare is entirely free.
Reference
Merhar, C. (2014). 7 Reasons for rising health care costs. PeopleKeep . Retrieved from https://www.peoplekeep.com/blog/seven-reasons-for-rising-health-care-costs
