The Advocacy for Universal Healthcare in the U.S.

Topic Description 

In its long history, the U.S. healthcare system has witnessed various modifications and reform attempts. Many policies and suggested reforms arose out of necessity due to rising healthcare costs, poor-quality care, and increasing number of people without insurance. Issues with past, current, and future systems were sought to be resolved by groups and regulators. The focus of healthcare organizations has shifted toward the quality of treatment provided to their patients. Quality improvement strategies and accountability have driven recent reform efforts. The purpose of this paper is to concentrate on the legal ramifications of advocating for universal healthcare in the United States. The research paper includes a research outline and an annotated bibliography that will be utilized to compile all relevant material on the research topic . 

The paper Outline 

I. Introduction 

A. Current Problem: Not everyone in America is enjoying the benefits of universal health coverage, and this necessitates the need to advocate for coverage across several underprivileged populations. 

B. Population/Area of Focus:  American people, women, children and people of color 

C. Key Terms:   Universal health coverage, insurance, health for all  

Thesis Statement: The health of Americans is a basic fundamental right, and it should be made accessible to all citizens; those not aware of the benefits of the health insurance cover should be enlightened and persuaded to be part of it, and consequently help provide quality affordable heath for all Americans. 

II. Background 

A. Global Heath Overview:  Several developed and developing nations have existing Universal Health coverage. 

B. American Historical Healthcare Overview:  America has inefficient health coverage that should be improved and reformed to make it more efficient. 

C. Link between Universal health coverage and provision of quality care:  Well implemented Universal health coverage provides for an improved care provision and improves the patient's satisfaction 

III. Major Point 1:  Provision of Universal Health Coverage 

A. Minor Point 1:  Benefits of the Healthcare provision 

B. Minor Point 2: Challenges and provision of Health coverage   

IV. Major Point 2: Advocating for the Universal Health coverage 

A. Minor Point 1:  Universal Health Coverage for the American women 

B. Minor Point 2:  Situation of Universal Health coverage amongst people of color 

V. Major Point 3: Legal perspective of the Universal Health Cover 

A. Minor Point 1:  The Affordable Care Act and the Universal Health coverage Court battles and litigations 

B. Minor Point 2:  The legal approach to the provision of successful Heath care provision 

VI. Major Point 4: The future and priority of Universal Health Coverage in America 

A. Minor Point 1:  Sustaining the Universal Health coverage 

B. Minor Point 2:  Contributions of Universal healthcare towards the positive development of America. A healthy people is a healthy nation. 

VII. Conclusion 

A. Restatement of Thesis:  Americans who are persuaded to join insurance covers are more likely to do so, especially after being aware of the benefits of the Universal Health Coverage.   

B. Next Steps:   Society requires health advocates; policymakers need to be aware of the current scenario and strive towards establishing mechanisms to ensure that nearly all Americans benefit from the privileges of Universal health coverage. 

Annotated Bibliography 

Abiiro, G. A., & De Allegri, M. (2015). Universal health coverage from multiple perspectives: A synthesis of conceptual literature and global debates.  B.M.C. International Health and Human Rights ,  15 (1).  https://doi.org/10.1186/s12914-015-0056-9 

The authors of this article argue about the various features of Universal Health Coverage as seen through the eyes of various views and interpretations. The author recognizes universal health coverage as a top priority for the healthcare system. The concept of universal health coverage (UHC) indicates a legal framework to ensure that everyone has access to affordable health care. As a necessary precondition for progress toward UHC, all governments must comply with the international human rights obligations imposed on them and, as a result, recognize the right to health in their national constitutions. 

The article is pertinent to lobbying for Universal Health Coverage since it lays forth the legal framework to implement the provision. The also discusses the importance of financial security as a component of universal health coverage. This article is relevant to me since it will provide me with the legal framework that I will utilize to support my claims in my research topic. 

Bloom, D. E., Khoury, A., & Subbaraman, R. (2018). The promise and peril of universal health care.  Science ,  361 (6404), eaat9644.  https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aat9644 

The Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978 has contributed immensely to providing primary care and the need for achieving health for all. According to Bloom et al., the conference was critical in raising awareness of health for all as a fundamental right whose realization lowers human suffering, increases equity, and protects human dignity. The article emphasizes new technologies and how well trained personnel improve the quality of healthcare services. Quality care provision is among the objectives of UHC, and its provision will see the coverage achieve other important goals on the heath for all. 

The article is relevant to the research topic because it covers most of the major points that will be discussed in the final research paper. In this article, the UHC score index is compared to the natural logarithm of G.D.P. per capita in Nigeria, Japan, and the United States. It is critical to me because the United States will be the focus of my final research thesis. 

Borgonovi, E., & Compagni, A. (2013). Sustaining universal health coverage: The interaction of social, political, and economic sustainability.  Value in Health ,  16 (1), S34-S38.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jval.2012.10.006 

The long-term viability of healthcare systems, particularly those that enable universal coverage, is currently hotly debated by policymakers and academics. The authors of this article describe the debates around health care's economic viability. When making decisions for universal health care, policymakers should think about the interplay of political, social and economic sustainability, as well as the inherent trade-offs. The sustainability of U.C.H. will be attained as a result of addressing those factors. 

The article is important to my study topic because it investigates the characteristics of social and political sustainability regarding health care systems and presents a more thorough understanding of sustainability concerning health care systems. It will cover my research topic in-depth, with a focus on UHC's long-term viability. 

Chalkidou, K., Glassman, A., Marten, R., Vega, J., Teerawattananon, Y., Tritasavit, N., Gyansa-Lutterodt, M., Seiter, A., Kieny, M. P., Hofman, K., & Culyer, A. J. (2016). Priority-setting for achieving universal health coverage.  Bulletin of the World Health Organization ,  94 (6), 462-467.  https://doi.org/10.2471/blt.15.155721 

The article aims to provide priorities under which, if utilized, low and middle-income countries will use to implement universal health coverage successfully. All healthcare systems must set priorities in the implementation process of UHC. The authors provide a detailed elaboration on evaluating and monitoring the health priorities, which without implementation, the priority setting will not make sense. For successful achieving of UHC, adequate resources must be provided. The required resources include capital and competent personnel and the mechanisms under which the coverage will be executed. Chalkidou et al. note that there exist limitations and challenges to any project implementation, and adopting the UHC will attract challenges. The challenges in adopting UHC are not limited to different perspectives on priorities, but also political and varying opinions pose significant challenges. 

The article is relevant because it provides reliable information on setting priorities before implementing and adopting universal health coverage. The authors also include information on cost-effective innervations critical in advocating for universal health coverage in the United States. The article will equip me with much-needed information on UHC priorities to complete my research paper. 

Keith, K. (2020). The A.C.A. at the Supreme Court and beyond. Health Affairs ,  39 (4), 554-555.  https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2020.00275 

The author looks at the A.C.A. cases, other lawsuits, rules and new guidelines under the Trump administration. The ongoing Supreme Court case, Texas v. the United States, where the plaintiffs argue that the penalty-less mandate is no longer enforceable as a tax and thus no longer constitution will be a game-changer in A.C.A. mandate and implementation. There are more pending case concerning A.C.A. and still more cases are being filled challenging some scheme parts. The rulings will be expected to shape the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. 

I find this article very relevant, as it provides the legal cases surrounding A.C.A. and the effects on the UHC. Therefore, It will provide the centre of arguments and support my research topic on legal grounds. 

Kocher, R., Emanuel, E. J., & DeParle, N. M. (2010). The Affordable Care Act and the future of clinical medicine: The opportunities and challenges.  Annals of Internal Medicine ,  153 (8), 536.  https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-153-8-201010190-00274 

Despite the lack of clarity and complexity in the article, the writers describe the obstacles and opportunities presented by the Affordable Care Act. The ACCA is a once-in-a-generation reform of the United States' healthcare system. It ensures that all Americans have access to health care and creates new incentives for clinicians to change their practices to improve coordination and the quality of healthcare provision. 

The article is relevant to my research topic since it discusses the obstacles and opportunities that Universal Healthcare Coverage faces. The present further study data for this research paper by focusing on a single country—the United States. Additionally, the article is beneficial as it will provide me with a legal framework on the basis under which UHC is established. 

McKee, M., Balabanova, D., Basu, S., Ricciardi, W., & Stuckler, D. (2013). Universal health coverage: A quest for all countries but under threat in some.  Value in Health ,  16 (1), S39-S45.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jval.2012.10.001 

The healthcare sector has contributed positively to the growing population, yet many people are not aware of the benefits across the globe. The authors describe how various countries have pursued the pursuit to succeed in universal health care. Pursuing universal health care in developing countries has been more erratic, where leaders debate on its affordability before taking the step. Health care is a fundamental right to some, but it's viewed as a tradable commodity to other people—the authors of the article attempt to assess the future of UHC in developed countries. According to McKee et al., some countries provide UHC while others do not, as it largely relies on political goodwill and the countries financial muscles to finance the resources. 

The article is relevant to my research topic due to its ability to contribute towards the prevalence of Universal health care across the globe. The authors provide sufficient information on threats to UHC and the future of the scheme, a piece of information that I find of great importance to the research topic. 

Rashford, M. (2007). A universal healthcare system: Is it suitable for the United States? Nursing Forum ,  42 (1), 3-11.  https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6198.2007.00060.x 

The RN, B.S.N. nurse, considers the significance of U.H.C. in the States. More than 45 million individuals in the United States are uninsured, which says volumes about the state of our healthcare system. According to Rushford, people who aren't protected by an insurance plan can't afford to buy health insurance. Their employers can't afford to pay for it because of the high expenses, especially for small businesses. According to the author, universal coverage has improved health care provision for people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. However, except for unequal hospital days, their usage of services was very similar to that of middle-income people. 

This article is relevant to the research topic, as it has elaborate findings on health care status in the United States. The article will be beneficial in the research topic as it covers the importance and benefits of the UHC. The study paper attempts to answer the question UHC is suitable for Americans. Therefore, this research article will supplement other articles on advocating for Universal Health coverage in the U.S. 

Richardson, J. B., Wical, W., Kottage, N., Chaudhary, M., Galloway, N., & Cooper, C. (2021). The challenges and strategies of Affordable Care Act navigators and in-person Assisters with enrolling uninsured violently injured young Black men into healthcare insurance coverage. American Journal of Men's Health ,  15 (2), 155798832110055.  https://doi.org/10.1177/15579883211005552 

The authors of the research admit that young and low-income black men have a high risk of injury. There are significant discrepancies in access to care and healthcare insurance for this group of people. The authors undertook the study to boost the likelihood of marginalized populations being enrolled in health insurance. To address insurance gaps, the Affordable Care Act established an insurance enrollment program for low-income minority communities, particularly young black people. According to Richardson et al., high levels of insurance volatility are the fundamental contributing causes to disparities in healthcare and inequalities in healthcare outcomes. 

The article is pertinent to my research topic because it provides limited but valuable insight into the tactics and obstacles vulnerable people face when obtaining healthcare insurance coverage. The article fills a significant gap by detailing the methods employed by IPAS and Navigators to enrol particular groups in insurance coverage. Even though the study is limited to young black men, the findings will be critical in my research topic and determine how marginalized groups may be properly enrolled in healthcare insurance coverage to benefit from it. 

Saletti-Cuesta, L., & Aizenberg, L. (2019). An innovative intersectional analysis of how providers' discourses interact with universal healthcare access. Universal Healthcare [Working Title] .  https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.86208 

Intersectionality is increasingly being used in healthcare research, particularly in projects to understand and respond to how multidimensional processes sustain health inequities. The authors analyze two key health concerns affecting women's access to universal healthcare. The concerns are how migrant women and women subjected to violence access UHC. The authors use the research results to demonstrate the importance of intersectionality in understanding providers' discourses. Violence and migratory repercussions have always had an impact on women's health coverage. 

Even though the article is limited to the case of Bolivia, it still has relevant data that applies to my research topic. I will use the findings of this article to build on my arguments and convince the reader of the significance of the data towards advocating for Universal Health Coverage in the States.