Universal healthcare is a governmental system that provides health insurance to every citizen of the country. American citizens have pushed for universal healthcare for a long time. It is one of the most significant social issues discussed in the United States (U.S.). Historically, U.S. was practicing a mix of private and publish health services. A universal healthcare system would be beneficial for the U.S. for several reasons.
Universal healthcare will bring financial benefit for the government by reduction of emergency cases. According to research conducted by the Center for Studying Health System Change, “outpatient services such as emergency room visits represented the largest increase in health care expense” (“Growing Support for Universal Health Care”). For example, an Emergency Room visit is about $850, while “a visit to a primary care physician (family doctor) is about $100” (“Growing Support for Universal Health Care”). If the citizens have insurance to visit primary care physicians, preventing the potential Emergency Room visit, it will result in a significant saving.
Universal healthcare will enhance the social equality of the country and decrease the number of chronic diseases. According to Zieff et al., one of the advantages of universal healthcare is “reducing the vast health disparities that exist between differing socio-economic status segments of the population” (3). Moreover, universal healthcare will help to tackle “chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes, and obesity, all of which strain the national economy” (Zieff et al. 3). Thus, social equality and the fight against chronic diseases are other advantages of universal healthcare.
Universal healthcare will decrease bureaucracy in the healthcare system. According to Sousa et al., “a universal system would eliminate the need to deal with all the different insurance forms and the negotiations over provider limitations.” It will increase the efficiency of the healthcare system. Also, decreased paperwork will “eliminate a large expense for both doctors and hospitals” (Sausa et al.).
To sum up, universal healthcare will bring U.S. citizens only benefits in the face of financial savings, social equality, decreased chronic diseases, reduced bureaucracy. The most important thing about universal healthcare is that it will make healthcare available for everyone who needs it. Thus, in my opinion, U.S. should start the transition towards universal healthcare, especially during the pandemic time, when millions of people are in need of healthcare.
References
“Growing Support for Universal Health Care”. Insurancespecialists.com, 2017. Web.
Sousa, Lorie et al. “Point Turning Point: The Case for Universal Health Care”. U.S.News, 2020. Web.
Zieff, Gabriel et al. “Universal Healthcare in The United States Of America: A Healthy Debate”. Medicina, vol 56, no. 11, 2020, p. 580. MDPI AG. Web.