2008 Woodie Awards
U.S. needs universal health care
Brian Ward
Perspectives | 10/4/07
- Page 1 of 2 next >
The United States is ranked 37th in the world for its health care system that has 47 million people uninsured and 31 million people underinsured, according to the World Health Organization.
Also, according to the Institute of Medicine about 18,000 people die each year because they are uninsured. The United States must do something about this epidemic, especially with health care regarded as one of the most important domestic issues in the upcoming presidential election.
I'm sure many of you saw the movie "Sicko" this summer in which Michael Moore discussed a single-payer health care system. Our friendly northern neighbor, Canada uses this system, as well as many of our friends in Europe such as Britain, Greece, France, etc.
The question is, "What is single-payer?" Essentially, single-payer means Medicare for all. Medicare is a health care system publicly funded by the government but privately delivered by the hospitals so that the very poor and elderly can qualify for free coverage. Therefore, if the single-payer system were adopted, health care would be free for everyone in this country, while patients would still be able to see any doctor they wanted at no extra charge. If a person would like an additional private health care plan, nothing would be stopping them. The single-payer system is the only way to make sure that everyone is covered.
Single-payer health care would be a non-profit system. Our current health care is a for-profit system, where companies profit more by rejecting patient coverage and not covering medical costs. This is a disgrace when citizens are in need of doctors and medications, yet the company's main concern is earning profits rather than helping people who are in bad health. The single-payer system would encourage doctors to make their patients healthier by awarding bonuses for improved health.
The next question that many would ask is, "How will we pay for this kind of system?" Well currently the U.S. government is spending 40 percent more per capita on health care than any other industrialized country that has universal health care. Federal studies by the Congressional Budget Office and the General Accounting Office show that single-payer universal health care would save 100 to 200 billion dollars per year while also covering all the uninsured and increasing health care benefits.
Also, according to the Institute of Medicine about 18,000 people die each year because they are uninsured. The United States must do something about this epidemic, especially with health care regarded as one of the most important domestic issues in the upcoming presidential election.
I'm sure many of you saw the movie "Sicko" this summer in which Michael Moore discussed a single-payer health care system. Our friendly northern neighbor, Canada uses this system, as well as many of our friends in Europe such as Britain, Greece, France, etc.
The question is, "What is single-payer?" Essentially, single-payer means Medicare for all. Medicare is a health care system publicly funded by the government but privately delivered by the hospitals so that the very poor and elderly can qualify for free coverage. Therefore, if the single-payer system were adopted, health care would be free for everyone in this country, while patients would still be able to see any doctor they wanted at no extra charge. If a person would like an additional private health care plan, nothing would be stopping them. The single-payer system is the only way to make sure that everyone is covered.
Single-payer health care would be a non-profit system. Our current health care is a for-profit system, where companies profit more by rejecting patient coverage and not covering medical costs. This is a disgrace when citizens are in need of doctors and medications, yet the company's main concern is earning profits rather than helping people who are in bad health. The single-payer system would encourage doctors to make their patients healthier by awarding bonuses for improved health.
The next question that many would ask is, "How will we pay for this kind of system?" Well currently the U.S. government is spending 40 percent more per capita on health care than any other industrialized country that has universal health care. Federal studies by the Congressional Budget Office and the General Accounting Office show that single-payer universal health care would save 100 to 200 billion dollars per year while also covering all the uninsured and increasing health care benefits.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
George Savage
posted 10/04/07 @ 12:40 PM EST
Great Letter Brian,
Even better news is California's single payer legislation, SB 840 (Kuehl) passed the legislature once and was vetoed by Arnold as "socialized medicine" but is back this year and we're aiming to veto proof the bill for passage next year. (Continued…)
Brian Ward
posted 10/05/07 @ 12:24 PM EST
George,
Thank you so much for your kind words. I actually haven't read much about what is happening in California. It looks great, it would be great if they pass it, then the rest of the country could follow the lead. (Continued…)
Post a Comment