The Pros And Cons Of A Universal Healthcare System

America is recognized as a flourishing first world country, having a GDP ranked #1 at $19,417.144 (in billions). (List of Countries by Projected GDP) Back in 2016, the Common Wealth Fund Survey reported the United States to be the worst among 11 developed nations in healthcare despite holding the most expensive system. A common thing found in the Unites States is that adults are more likely to go without any healthcare even under the Affordable Care Act which expanded insurance coverage. (Osborn, Squires and Doty)The United States spent around a whopping17.5% of its GDP towards healthcare. A substantial difference in spending when compared to other advanced countries spending less than 10%. Yet, it still carries the award for most uninsured

People believe that having such a system will force taxes to be dramatically raised but instead of focusing on how to pay, the system can also focus on how to lower those medical bills. The government should always be involved and able to control the numerous factors that lead to such high digit bills. Clara Lynham writes about the possible healthcare systems made to lower expenses from other countries that the United States could adopt. She explains that in France, doctor and hospitals work in the private sector, but because the government pays the bill (to an extent), profits and costs are strictly controlled which results in far lower health care costs in the United States. (Lynham) France gives its citizens basic coverage but it also allows them to add on to that with private insurance for things that wouldn’t be covered by the basic insurance. This system is useful because while it does cover everyone, it does not cover everything which also keeps citizens from getting unhealthy too often. This system would be simpler for the United States to implement since the current system is, to an extent, like France’s system. The United States currently has the Medicaid program and it also has private insurers. Both can still be in the system although the only change is who Medicaid covers, which can be extended to many more individuals. Back in 2010, the Affordable Care Act was made to create a national healthcare system instead of a universal system that would focus on decreasing the number of uninsured citizens. It increased the Medicaid poverty line and made private healthcare more affordable. Back in 2012, it was reported that the increase rate of healthcare costs was below 4%, less than half the rate a decade ago. (Levey) It seems that not only has the Affordable Care Act covered many more but has also decreased healthcare costs. Another thing to note is that