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Universal Healthcare In America Essay

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The debate on the implementation of universal healthcare in America has been ongoing for decades. Universal healthcare refers to a healthcare system where all citizens, regardless of their socio-economic status, can access healthcare services without financial constraints. In America, the lack of access to healthcare services is a major concern with over 29 million Americans without health insurance. This essay will explore the need for universal healthcare in America and the challenges that such a system would face.

The current healthcare system in America is based on a private and market-oriented approach. It is a complex system, and access to health care is determined by one’s ability to pay. This system leaves many Americans uninsured …show more content…

The implementation of universal healthcare ensures that no American would avoid seeking medical attention due to financial constraints. It would improve life expectancy, reduce infant mortality rates, and enhance overall population health. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that the implementation of a single-payer system could save up to $450 billion annually while providing comprehensive coverage to all Americans.

However, implementing universal healthcare in America poses significant challenges. Firstly, the cost of financing a universal healthcare system would be enormous. According to a report by the Congressional Budget Office, the implementation of a single-payer system would require an estimated $32 trillion over a ten-year period. This would necessitate an increase in taxes, which may not be favorable to all Americans. Moreover, the implementation of a universal healthcare system would require significant structural changes in the current healthcare system, which could be challenging to …show more content…

(2018). Key design components and considerations for establishing a single-payer health care system. Retrieved from https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/115th- congress-2017-2018/reports/53826-singlepayer.pdf

National Center for Health Statistics. (2020). Early release of health insurance coverage estimates for 2019. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2020/20200528.htm

Oberlander, J. (2017). The prospects for ‘universal coverage’ in the United States: Will Republicans make millions uninsured again? Health Affairs, 36(6), 982–987. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2017.0259

Pollin, R., Heintz, J., & Arno, P. (2018). Economic analysis of the Medicare for All Act of 2017. Retrieved from https://www.peri.umass.edu/publication/item/1127-economic-analysis-of-the-medicare-for-all-act-of-2017

Woolhandler, S., Himmelstein, D. U., & Zarrabi, A. (2020). Single payer FAQ. Retrieved from

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