The Importance Of Universal Healthcare

Would it be just great governance, the ability to provide health care for all Americans or do our nation’s leaders see the country as just all for one, and not one for all. This nation would not function effectively if poorer Americans were to die out. Yet the insurance, pharmaceutical corporations, greedy lawyers and companies are more concerned with filling their pockets. Without a middle and lower sector of society, America would collapse. Therefore America can do more to supply healthcare for all Americans and develop a systems to provide universal coverage just as many nations have.
Furthermore, universal coverage means that “all people receive the health services they need without suffering financial hardship when paying for them” (Universal

Health Coverage). This means that everyone residing in a country will be approved for health care services without being in debt after care. According to the World Health Organization, “Every year 100 million are pushed into poverty and 150 million people suffer financial catastrophe because of out-of-pocket expenditure on health services” (“Universal Health Coverage”). If people continue to pay the majority of costs out of pocket, the poor will be unable to utilize many services. Due to this rising cost, fewer employers are able to provide their workers with healthcare insurance. Health care provided by the workplace “dropped from sixty nine percent in 2000 to sixty percent in 2005” (Casoy). As health care becomes more expensive, the percentage that provide healthcare will continue to decrease over the years.
Nevertheless, the American system fails because it spends most of its money on the health care system “In 2012, the United States of America (USA) spent more than 2.8 trillion United States dollars” (“Universal Health Coverage”) on health, when citizens get little direct care. According to The Commonwealth Fund, “the $2.9 trillion we spend annually on health care—a whopping $9,200 per person—isn’t necessarily buying us the best care or ensuring good health”(“Better Care”). This simply means that although the American health organization invests trillions of dollars into the healthcare system, millions of Americans do not get little direct benefits. Is it honestly fair that many hard working citizens, who pay taxes and do hard labor just to make a living, have to go through so much trouble in order to receive health care benefits?
Why not work together to build a healthier America rather than depriving many Americans of suitable healthcare? People lacking access to care are“400 million globally who lack access to one or more essential health services “(Universal Health Coverage). Why can America not offer a universal health care coverage? It is a known fact that the United States spends $2.9 trillion annually on health care (“Better Care”). This leads in saying that “Thirty two countries worldwide have universal health insurance.” (“List of Countries”). It seems like money should be put to better use and managed better by providing care for the people. The rising cost of pharmaceutical medication also hurts the people, since it seems as if America wants to take away everything that the average citizens makes rather than giving a helping hand because the citizens are human beings and deserves the right to attain affordable care.
While America denies many of healthcare accessibility other countries are proven to make affordable healthcare a priority for all citizens and not have their citizens make tough decisions to wait and die or to seek medical care and go bankrupt. Hence while “other countries have declared health care to be a basic right, the United States treats health care as a privilege, only available to those who can afford it” (“Casoy”). This selfish system of denying citizens of healthcare benefits has cost the government billions of dollars due to lack of assistance from health programs that are unwilling to help patients with instructions that is needed when discharged. “One of five elderly patients discharged from hospitals in the United States ends up being readmitted within 30 days, costing Medicare alone upwards of $17 billion each year. (“Better Care”). Billions of dollars can be save if every healthcare service would work together.
America can learn from other nations and use taxes as a way to provide funding for the people and although it is not easy said as done, something can be done to repay these citizens for their hard labor that makes the wealthy, wealthier and America stay afloat “The middle class is the “heartland”, the middle class is the “backbone of the country” (“Applebaum”).

Can America stand-alone if the middle class were to deny their quality service. Hence “not only does the U.S. fare worse in terms of infant mortality and life expectancy than other developed nations, it also tops the list for deaths that are considered preventable with timely and appropriate treatment.” (“Better Care). What is it to deny someone the right to healthcare, is it a death list there waiting to be placed on, or poverty stricken just because they cannot afford the given care from doctors and the government who chooses not to give a helping

hand.
Nevertheless Canada has built “a public healthcare system, which is free for Canadians at the point of use and funded mainly through taxes.” (“Healthcare System”), and Cuba sees assisting its citizens as a “universal, and free for all Cubans without restrictions, as healthcare is considered as one of the most fundamental Human Rights.” (Healthcare System). Whereas America “operates mainly as a private multi-payer system, with a few public options. Physicians and hospitals operate privately and charge on a fee-for-service basis.” (“Healthcare System”) This means that patients has to go to insurance companies for security of health insurance. Also Canada philosophy is to “provide care “on the basis of need, rather than the ability to pay,” (“Healthcare System”) and all residents must receive healthcare. Also Cuba has develop a system where “ However in America “health care in America is treated as an economic good like a TV or VCR, not as a social or public good.” (“Casoy”). Which means America does not see healthcare as needs but wants of unnecessary necessities.
One may want to know what health insurance really covers.

Some coverages only doctor visits, physicals, outpatient care, lab test and prescription drugs and so forth. What does other countries such and Canada, Cuba and America offer and doesn’t offer when it comes to healthcare services. Canada who believes that healthcare be rewarded to all covers “Primary care, all specialists' services, all hospital services, Dental surgery and Emergency ambulance use” (“Healthcare Systems”). But it does not cover dental services, medications, prescription eyeglass and private hospital rooms. Whereas Cuba provides “all medical treatments, services as well as medicines.” (“Healthcare Systems”). Which is good for the people who cannot afford healthcare and can. However they don’t provide medical accessories such as wheelchair, eyeglasses, and crutches. America on the other hand offers “Ambulatory patient services, Emergency services, Hospitalization, Maternity and newborn care, behavioral health treatment, Prescription drugs, Pediatric services and Laboratory services. (“Healthcare Systems”). Although may sound like a lot is offered these advantages are mainly paid for through private insurance companies. The American healthcare system does not cover long term, dental care, Eye examination and

glasses.
A as result of the American system being mainly privatized by insurance companies many there becomes a gap in the insurance available to all. “Physicians and hospitals operate privately and charge on a fee-for-service basis.” (“Healthcare System”) this causes most of the harm that the citizens of America face in their pockets. Also “48 percent are insured by their employer, 5 percent buy private insurance themselves, 32 percent are eligible for one of the government funded insurance programs and 15 percent have no insurance at all” (“Healthcare System”). Providing healthcare has even become a strain for many companies due that “employees are finding their wage increases to be smaller and smaller as the cost of providing health insurance skyrockets for employers.” (“Casoy”). The healthcare systems not only hurt many American citizens but places a strain on companies that try to offer healthcare for their employees.

Also the system fails due to lack of focus on primary care and public health. Primary care can help ensure positive health outcomes and health justice. This is a better benefit because it stops employers from reducing wages to cover benefits costs. “Other public insurance programs; on employers, who help pay for the health coverage of workers and their families; and on American households, who feel the pain in their pocketbooks, through higher taxes and reduced wages” (“Better Care”). These are the individuals who will feel it more as the gap of not caring for the people continues. Many under privileged Americans go to work pouring in their sweat and tears, yet it only allows the rich to get richer, leaving the lower class and middle class to suffer. Thus, larger corporations, the insurance companies, and the government can do more to address the needs of the people, while not going over budget. This is a problem on low income Americans, while more and more middle-class citizens are becoming affected as well.
Lack of health care can also cause “purely physical suffering experienced by uninsured individuals. Emotionally, uninsurance contributes to anxiety, familial stress, depression, and fear. Financially, medical costs are a major cause of personal bankruptcy” (Casoy). This causes families to worry more allowing stress to lead to many other illnesses. Even without “bankruptcy, the financial strain on families can be significant and potentially ruinous” (Casoy). For families not making enough money to support their household and medical bills, this can be an extreme downfall.
America has stand out from many countries over the years with productivity, athletics, entertainment, and so on but many seem to overlook what the people are going through in this nation of the land of the free. If this is the case then why is the American system so broken? This is because “Nonprofit hospitals, the cornerstone of many communities, capriciously overcharge patients, sticking the powerless with exorbitant bills, while paying lavish salaries to their executives” (“Brill”). The cost may not be the problem but the greedy doctors and insurance companies that take more from the people than is needed. The cost are out of control and some attention is needed to break this financial discrepancies. These costs become outrageous due to greed for example “The total price for a normal birth is nearly $10,000 in the U.S.; in the United Kingdom, its $2,641. A knee replacement? Over $25,000 here—more than twice the cost in Switzerland.” (“Better care”). The American billing system is broken done by office visits, hospital stays and lab tests and the list can go on. Why must these citizens pay for every procedure that is done, this can be avoided with bundle payments. Bundle payments are “paying health care providers one lump sum for all the services needed to treat a patient with a particular condition or illness, the incentive to do more simply to earn more disappears.” (“Better care”). In doing this patients can get well quickly and stay well also the insurer can combine these payments and divide it among other clinics.
Most Americans who cannot afford healthcare can agree that the costs are out of control. Therefore it places a burden on many needing and wanting healthcare services and also prescription drugs that puts an even tougher strain on many families. “Nonprofit hospitals overcharge patients, with exorbitant bills, while paying lavish salaries to their executives; drug companies, which charge markups to American customers, rake in huge profits” (“Brill”). This should be no surprise knowing how much it cost to receive prescription drugs. Many persons already suffer from doctors’ visits and checkups that by time as they get prescribe medicine they cannot buy it in order to get better. Studies have shown that “one third of uninsured Americans reported that they were unable to fill a prescription drug in the last year because of the cost.” (“Casoy”). After medical bills pile up persons see it as useless because they are already drowned in debt. Another study shows that “more than half of the uninsured postponed needed medical care due to financial concerns, while over one third went without a physician-recommended medical test or treatment due to financial concerns.” (“Casoy”). This can be scary for anyone who is in serious need of medical attention and overtime lead to worse medical issues. Also “The pharmaceutical industry insists that drugs account for less than 10 percent of health-care costs” (“Brill”). If this were true the persons would be able to afford all prescription drugs.
As I conclude healthcare should be a must for all citizens, because everyone deserves a chance to live and not die because the government does not do more. Yes there is more to it than just awarded everyone with the same healthcare benefits, but with even trail there comes a solution. The Cuba government feels that “Everyone has the right to health protection and care.”(“Healthcare System”). Why didn’t America see this as a need many years before and view healthcare as a need and not something to fit for. Healthcare afforded to all is a universal priority to its people. Therefore “Providing certain important goods like health care to all members of society has its own value.”(“Casoy”). Does this means that the United States does not value its people, or have they allowed the country to be driven by being money hungry that they ignore the need of its people.