Universal Healthcare Research Paper

Healthcare is a system countries use to aid citizens in maintaining their physical and mental health. In a country with a single payer healthcare system, individuals must pay out of pocket for things like doctor visits, surgeries, hospitals and medications, assuming they have no insurance, where as in a country with universal healthcare, medical services are provided to all citizens for “free.” The United States currently follows the single payer health system, however, if universal healthcare is implemented in the united states, the economics of the country as well as families will inevitably be revised. If the United States adopted the universal method of care, the country’s economy would drastically change. For example, they could potentially

Assuming the government pays what it already pays for health care, [news reporter] Ryan Whitacker reports universal health care in the United States will “cost an estimated 562 billion dollars in taxpayers money”. (Decision Data) Although it seems like a lot, 562 billion divided by 243 million taxpayers in the united states is only $2,312 per taxpayer. Instead of scrummaging for change in the scene of an emergency, the money will come directly from the paycheck. Healthcare will be evenly distributed amongst citizens resulting in a lower total amount spent on healthcare per household. Assuming the United States undergoes universal healthcare, citizens will have more spending money which results in a higher demand for production. Instead of dividing healthcare costs specifically to each person, an increase in taxes amongst all citizens would cover the costs of universal healthcare, which in return could result in economic

If this system went was forced into act, it is predicted that citizens will overuse their health privileges. Dr. David Kelley, PhD, reported when “...Medicaid went into effect in 1964, people living below the poverty line saw physicians 20% less...” However, when those poverty level patients were placed on Medicare, they “...saw physicians 18% more often than people who were not on Medicaid” (Atlas Society). Further explaining, people could take advantage of free medical services. However, referring back to the quote, individuals without Medicaid were not seeing physicians, more than likely because of the lack of health insurance or Medicaid. The data shows poverty-stricken citizens’ physician visits went up 18% after Medicaid was implemented, but isn’t that the whole point of healthcare? It continues with “...18% more often…” than those not on Medicaid, again leading back to the idea that those who are not covered, cannot afford medical attention. Implementing universal healthcare would allow doctors to financially proceed, possibly creating more offices for all of the citizens covered by the universal system. Once the nation’s health has been taking care of, citizen’s can then worry about economically saving our country by continuing their education, or possibly becoming business owners. Without universal healthcare, many intelligent, important, economic leaders and tax paying citizens could