Socialized Medicine. Noun. The provision of medical and hospital care for all by means of public funds. Norway, Japan, the United Kingdom, Kuwait, Sweden, Canada, Finland, and Italy (just to name a few) all have one thing in common-socialized medicine. Sarah Nettleton, a researcher at King’s College in the United Kingdom, believes health care should develop into a universal concept and subsist on the basis of health “needs” rather than the ability to pay. The United Kingdom has a successful program when it comes to universal health care known as the National Health Services(NHS). Some citizens stick to private practices, but the NHS prevails as the most reputable. The United States should mimic the countries listed by adopting socialized medicine …show more content…
Huntoon, see socialized medicine as no different from a robin hood scenario-stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. Some go to the extreme of calling socialism an act of communism. This is like comparing Norway, the happiest country on the Earth, to Nazi Germany. Socialism and communism have no correlation. Communism is a system of social organization in which all economic and social activity is controlled by a totalitarian state-dominated by a single and self-perpetuating political party (dictionary.com). Socialism differs from communism because a communist government is totalitarian state-dominated and all socialism does is gives control of, in this case, medicine. The doctors and patients still have a voice when socialized medicine applies. Not only would the people become healthier, but they would also not have to empty their pockets to pay for a doctor’s visit. The people would keep themselves to a higher standard of health the cost of a single doctor’s visit no longer stands as a concern. Norway, a country that has established socialized medicine, has a higher health care system index than the United States. The quality of the health care in Norway is ranked ninth in the world, but the United States falls extremely short of that, coming in at forty-first (Nationmaster). This statistic exemplifies the correlation between socialized medicine and the quality of health care. A success story, like Norway’s, paves the way for the United States to
“Socialized Medicine.” The term throws shivers through the American population. For some this brings great joy. They see a world where they can visit a doctor and get the medicine they need for little or no cost. Others, however, see a world of rationed care and long waits for procedures. “Socialism” is the term that bothers. It sticks deep in the American psyche, conjuring up images from the Russian Revolution and George Orwell’s Animal Farm. In Animal Farm, the animals experience a very oppressive leader, and it represents the cruelty of the Stalin Regime. Some wonder where they might fall in the hierarchy of animals that Orwell laid out. In the current healthcare system “all animals are equal but some are more equal than others”. (Orwell) America is built on the assumption that “all men are created equal” but there is a hot debate about how that equal access to healthcare should look. Access to healthcare is a basic human right that provides economic benefits and makes for a more fair and just society.
America is known for democracy, freedom, and the American Dream. American citizens have the right to free speech, free press, the right to bear arms, and the right to religious freedom to name a few. The Declaration of Independence states that American citizens have the rights including “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” America promises equality and freedom and the protection of their rights as outlined in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. But with all the rights and freedoms that American citizens enjoy, there is one particular area where the United States seems to be lacking. That area is health care. The United States is the only industrialized nation that doesn’t have some form of legal recognition of a right to health care (Yamin 1157). Health care reform in the United States has become a major controversy for politicians, health care professionals, businesses, and citizens. Those in opposition to reform claim that health care is not a human right, therefore the government should not be involved. Supporters of reform believe that health care is most definitely a human right and should be available to everyone in the United States instead of only those who can afford it, and that it is the government’s responsibility to uphold that right.
Universal health care refers to any system of health care managed by the government. The health care system may cover different programs including government run hospitals and health organizations and programs targeted at providing health care. Many developed countries such as Canada and United Kingdom have embraced universal health care with the United States being the only exception. The present U.S health care system has often been considered inefficient in terms of cost control as millions of Americans remain uncovered. This has made it the subject of a heated debate characterized by people who argue that the country requires a kind of socialized system that will permit increased government participation. Others have tended to support privatized health care, or a combined model of private and universal health care that will permit private companies to offer health care for a specific fee. Universal healthcare has numerous advantages that remain hidden from society. First, the federal government can apply economies of scale in managing health facilities which would reduce health care expenses. Second, all unnecessary expenses would be eliminated by requiring all states to bring together all the insurance companies into a single entity whose mandate would be to provide health insurance to all people. Lastly, increased government participation will guarantee quality care, improve access to medical services and address critical problems relating to market failure.
Universal healthcare: a term feared by many politicians due to the communist connotation, but is it really all that bad? Over 58 countries have some sort of universal health coverage, such as England and France, which have single payer healthcare, meaning the government provides insurance for all citizens and pays for all healthcare expenses. The United States of America has insurance mandated healthcare, meaning the government requires all citizens to purchase insurance, usually provided through their jobs. In America, over 45 million people are uninsured, 20,000 of whom will die by the end of the year, compared to England or France. All residents, legal or not, are covered.
In sum, America needs to reevaluate the status quo surrounding medical care. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the current model only benefits a select few and causes insufferable costs for the rest of the world. If there is no reform for these issues, money will continue to be siphoned directly into the pockets of large, for-profit companies that benefit from the strife of
The founding documents clearly state “We are the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish Justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare…do ordain and establish this constitution of the United States of America.” The term welfare includes “well-being, “happiness, health and prosperity” so it is not only the duty of the government to provide health care for all, but would be considered unconstitutional not to do so. With a universal health care system the improved health of the population, since all would have access to health care, a decrease in illness with the general population would diminish greatly. With all having access to health care it would promote equality and fairness to all citizens. One of the biggest key factors of a universal health care system would be the doctors and other health care professionals would be able to focus on treating the patient more instead of worrying about the business aspect of making money, who is paying for the treatment also the billing and paperwork process of diagnosing whatever illness the patient has. With all the insurance, payments and paperwork aspects of medical care taken care of by the government health care professionals would be able to do a better job in taking care of the
A country’s health care system refers to all the institutions, programs, personnel, procedures, and the resources that are used to meet the health needs of its population. Health care systems vary from one country to another, depending on government policies and the health needs of the population. Besides, health care programs are flexible in the sense that they are tailored to meet health needs as they arise. Among the stakeholders in the formulation of a country’s health care system are governments, religious groups, non-governmental organizations, charity organizations, trade/labor unions, and interested individuals (Duckett, 2008). These entities formulate, implement, evaluate, and reform health services according to the needs of the sections of the population they target.
Healthcare is the maintenance or restoration of health by treatment from trained and licensed professionals (Webster). The American people faced many issues with the way the healthcare system is split up. There are four basic healthcare models the United States usescurrently. First, PBS describes that the Beveridge model, covered/ran by the government, through tax payments. This is the only model used in Great Britain but in America it only covers veterans and soldiers, in Great Britain everyone in the country has coverage by it . Another system model the US takes up is the Bismarck model,it helps people to buy their own health insurance through their employer (Healthcare Economist). Three main countries that use this model are Japan, Switzerland, and Germany whose ex-leader, Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck, created the Bismarck method of health care. Which not only covers 90% of their country but allowsthe rich 10% opt out (Reid&Palfreman). An Americans third model option takes of the ideas of both Beveridge and Bismarck and its name is the National Health Insurance (NHI), which Taiwan operates with. The NHI allows private providers to become a choice even though citizens. These four systems have been used for decades and President Obama has put a bill together to propose a change in America'shealthcare. The Affordable Care Act [Obamacare], will give coverage through employers, help people find their own insurance, or government coverage through Medicare for the elderly, and Medicaid for a 1/3 of others (KFF). Medicaid is offered for those with low income, but only states with governors and legislators who approve for this one actually benefit the KFF (Kaiser family foundation) explained. Those who don't have or want health insuranc...
In the United States of America, people view health care as a product to be bought and sold. Therefore, anyone who could not avail the health care would not have any coverage. Without any form of health care, someone could not achieve their outstanding potential when sick. United States has spent so much money in trying to make this country as one of the best in the world. There is economic growth if the health of the citizenry is safeguarded. In this nation that is known for its wealth, it is very ironic to find people without proper insurance due to high cost and therefore are denied health care (Bergen, Fultz, Kessie, & Osburn, 2015). Society is denying them the right to live. Butts & Rich (2005) stated that in order to achieve social
Healthcare professionals want only to provide the best care and comfort for their patients. In today’s world, advances in healthcare and medicine have made their task of doing so much easier, allowing previously lethal diseases to be diagnosed and treated with proficiency and speed. A majority of people in the United States have health insurance and enjoy the luxury of convenient, easy to access health care services, with annual checkups, preventative care, and their own personal doctor ready to diagnose and provide treatment for even the most trivial of symptoms. Many of these people could not imagine living a day without the assurance that, when needed, medical care would not be available to themselves and their loved ones. However, millions of American citizens currently live under these unimaginable conditions, going day to day without the security of frequent checkups, prescription medicine, or preventative medicines that could prevent future complications in their health. Now with the rising unemployment rates due to the current global recession, even more Americans are becoming uninsured, and the flaws in the United States’ current healthcare system are being exposed. In order to amend these flaws, some are looking to make small changes to fix the current healthcare system, while others look to make sweeping changes and remodel the system completely, favoring a more socialized, universal type of healthcare system. Although it is certain that change is needed, universal healthcare is not the miracle cure that will solve the systems current ailments. Universal healthcare should not be allowed to take form in America as it is a menace to the capitalist principle of a free market, threatens to put a stranglehold on for-...
The U.S. expends far more on healthcare than any other country in the world, yet we get fewer benefits, less than ideal health outcomes, and a lot of dissatisfaction manifested by unequal access, the significant numbers of uninsured and underinsured Americans, uneven quality, and unconstrained wastes. The financing of healthcare is also complicated, as there is no single payer system and payment schemes vary across payors and providers.
There are major differences between the Canadian and American Health Care Systems. The Canadian Health Care is publicly based which means it is governed by the Canada Health Act. It was created to ensure all Canadian citizens have access to health services. Costs are paid through funding from income tax where virtually all essential basic care is covered. Several practices like psychology, chiropractic, physiotherapy and medication (services not deemed critical) are not covered by the government but can be insured by private companies issued through employers or purchased individually. If the patient lacks private insurance, they have to pay out of their own pocket. The United States health care system is privatized and is profit based. Americans do not automatically have health coverage. They pay out of their own pocket for all services which means people may go untreated if treatment is unaffordable. For many Americans health insurance is a perk given by an employer to help cover the cost of basic health services. Americans can also purchase health insurance individually at an astronomical price (Parente and Bragdon). When it comes to looking at the fundamentals of both private and public systems, I of...
Marxist theory argued that the problem is not just about access to medical care. It is the capitalist economy that defines health and medicine. Under the umbrella of this system, “the main goal of medicine is not health but profit. The profit turns doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical industry into multibillion do...
“For the wealthiest country in the world… to not have figured out access to basic healthcare as a fundamental right for individuals, I think is a little bit of a national embarrassment.” (John Jay Shannon, MD, CEO of Cook County Health & Hospitals System (Chicago). Although the United States spends the most money on healthcare, as of 2016 they ranked 37th according to the World Health Organization which puts us behind 36th other countries. This proves that the United States healthcare system compared to other countries in not a very good system.
Social work is a profession which promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships and enhance well-being. It is important to acknowledge the history of social work and the purpose of social work and why it exists. Social work is a questioned theory with different perspectives on what it is and how it should be practised. Social work helps people to deal with personal and social problems so that people can overcome or adjust to any personal difficulties. Social work is a combination of social stability and social change. Social stability promotes individual and social welfare and social change seek to change negative aspects of society. Values are implicit within the law and policy and these tend to reflect the values within society. Personal values can influence the way social workers interpret and implement their profession.