HCA 255 Topic 5 Discussion 1
Consider health care coverage that other countries provide to their citizens and how much access is provided to their citizens. If these programs of coverage work so well in providing access of care, why do these countries often have additional pay-for-service or private insurance options offered?
answer
The United States is an outlier when it comes to health care coverage. Many other developed countries, such as Canada and France, have single payer or national health care systems that guarantee citizens universal coverage, often with no additional private insurance options offered. These programs are less expensive than the U.S. system and ensure all citizens have access to basic health services. Why does the United States have a system that leaves so many people uninsured?
Other countries provide the same health care coverage to their citizens, but the United States has a higher population that is uninsured and more limited access to more advanced care. Many other countries have access to health care that is comparable to the United States, even though they have lower costs and superior population health outcomes. These facts suggest that it is possible for the United States to enact similar comprehensive and affordable coverage programs without increasing overall health care costs, with additional special funding options for mental health and long-term care issues.
Health care is an ever-changing public good that requires individuals to maintain their own health and stay in a healthy weight range. Currently, we have an opportunity in the United States to learn from other countries by joining them in offering a public option while providing more access to preventative care. We can also learn from their strengths and weaknesses of country-specific systems.
The US spends more on health care than any other country. Life expectancy is not the highest and infant mortality rates are not the lowest among all those countries. Does this mean that we should reform our system to include a single-payer model like many other countries or even consider their government options?
I believe so strongly in the concept of universal health care that I’ve decided to devote my career to an issue that is often overlooked. According to a national survey, 82 percent of all health care facilities in the United States are not prepared for an influenza pandemic. If our population is left without an infrastructure, thousands will die from a disease that can easily be prevented with a vaccine.
It’s a matter of access, isn’t it? An American pays a higher premium for health insurance because he can choose to purchase it on his own. A citizen of Canada gets health insurance for free because he doesn’t have that choice. It is the access model that works best, as evidenced by the consistent ranking of Canada’s system by the World Health Organization.
Even though the ACA is often referred to as “Obamacare” the bill was originally put together by a bipartisan group of lawmakers and then passed by both houses of congress. The overwhelming majority of Americans are in favor of having health insurance. If they can afford it, they want it. What is stopping them from getting coverage?
As a patient-centered medical home, our goal is to have you feeling better and back to your normal activities as quickly as possible. Whatever health-related goals you’re working toward–whether it’s managing a chronic condition, improving overall fitness or getting ready for an active vacation–you’ll get the care you need to help you achieve your best self at MedStar Health. We offer an easy, efficient way to take care of your health and the health of your family.
Now, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) law goes into effect. But will the impact be overwhelming? The PPACA requires everyone to have health care coverage or pay a tax penalty. Also, it requires everyone to have insurance that meets minimum standards, so if you have a policy that doesn’t make the grade, you’ll need to get one that does at the same time if you don’t already have it. Perhaps most importantly, starting in 2014, new health insurance exchanges will begin to operate in each state.