The Importance Of Health Care In America

The Declaration of Independence states three unalienable rights which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Of these rights mandated by the government, the right of every individual to have access to some form of health care falls under all three. Not only is access to health care an unalienable right, it could prevent the progression of injury or disease and could also improve economic productivity.
Medical care in America is more common than in many other countries, however the United States (U.S.) is one of three countries out of thirty four members of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development to have health care availability for everyone. In less developed countries the ability to receive health care is rare, especially

for those in the lower class, who are the majority of citizens. Because of the long term impact of no health care access, not only should we focus on providing Americans with universal care, but also in these developing countries.
In March of 2017 I went on a medical mission trip to two villages in Guatemala.

The care we were able to provide the citizens is typically the only care they are able to receive. Through working one on one with many patients it was alarmingly evident how earlier medical attention could have prevented many of the issues that were present. For example, one man had a pressure ulcer on his bottom, that now needed surgery to fix, which would most likely not be able to be provided for him once we left. As the man was bound to a wheelchair, he would most likely die due to infection and inability to obtain early health care and screening. Many Guatemalans suffer from diabetes and hypertension. When their blood pressures and blood sugars were tested, the numbers were often critically high. Having high blood sugar and blood pressure leads to chronic disease, organ failure and ultimately death. If there was access to healthcare, hypertension and diabetes would be more under control and each patient could be monitored, minimizing their pain and suffering. The patient could be taught how to monitor themselves so they would not have to take up spaces in a hospital or clinic and this could improve the overall quality of life. Issues like these are not only seen in Guatemala but in the United States as well. According to the Center for Disease control (CDC), 4.5% of people in the US failed to obtain medical care because of the cost. Americans in poverty level have similar issues to the

Guatemalans as their medical needs go untreated and become worse.
When individuals maintain their health and have the ability to do so, they are able to stay at work, attend school and be integral parts of society.

Individuals who maintain a higher level of health can improve economic production. The Institute of Medicine states $65-$130 billion is lost annually due to poor health and deaths causing a decrease in productivity. Not only does this harm businesses and the economy but also the overall work ethic of the nation as a whole. All levels of society benefit from access to medical care. People in poverty are then able to live healthier lives and find and maintain a job. With everyone having the ability to receive medical care, more medically related jobs will thus be created. More nurses and doctors will be needed therefore, stimulate the job market, decreasing unemployment. How the medical care will be financially provided is one downfall. Current attempts in this field, like Obamacare, where universale insurance is provided for everyone, has many of its own problems. Money may not have to be as much of an issue as one may think. The current public health services in less developed countries such as Guatemala are typically only in urban areas, and are extremely hierarchical. Everyone should be able to attain medical services, not just those in upper classes. The World Medical Association states, “As health professionals, physicians have a key role to play in providing high quality care to all patients without discrimination.” An

individual has a right to a healthy life no matter the amount of money they have. The group I went to Guatemala with, Faith and Practice, is basically the only medical care and facilities in the country. This organization is operated almost completely on a volunteer based and the government has allowed for Faith and Practice to take over and be responsible for most of medical system. Private owners have donated land and other resources to the organization making it better and more accessible to the citizen of Guatemala. If organizations like this can prosper they could become more common in other areas of the world readily providing medical care for everyone. Medical care like this could diminish the 70% of children who suffer from malnourishment in locations like rural Guatemala. Problems like malnourishment can lead to improper growth and development as well as lower IQ’s. Such things can be fixed my medical attention that should be provided.
Access to some form of health care is an obvious right for every individual, improving overall physical, social and mental health status, as well as quality of life. The further growth of disease and disability would be stopped with medical attention. Increased health care could also improve the productivity and the economy. A right everyone should have and benefit from. A healthier life for one, a healthier life for all.