HEALTHCARE

Healthcare

Healthcare

In 1965 Lyndon B. Johnson amended the Social Security Act to provide American citizens with two health insurance programs: Medicare and Medicaid. Since then the United States' healthcare system has been questionable, unreliable, and immoral. The existence of these programs goes against the very principles this country was founded upon. To this day, forty-five million citizens are uninsured, approximately one-seventh of the nation's population. Surprisingly, eighty percent of the forty-five million are all employed adults supporting families.

Americans are asking themselves, “How could a plan designed for the good of the people become so detrimental to society? How did this happen?” Amongst the victims of the impartial system are people crying out for change and reform: Journalists, reporters, scientists, sociologists, governors, senators, and even current 2008 Presidential candidates. What reasons should citizens have to doubt their government? How does one discern between fact and fabrication with the information at hand? Americans have many questions that demand answers; ones that are honest and straightforward. In order to embark on this journey, we must first explore the flaws of Medicare/Medicaid and bring up problematic questions. In addition, we will investigate the two primary sources of information: the United States government and American citizens; specifically covering past government officials, current Presidential candidates, private/public organizations and the victims of the flawed healthcare system. Looking back on the past, who is there to trust? Which source is more reliable than the other?First and foremost, it is important to understand the purpose and principles of health insurance programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare was first established and administered by the federal government in 1965; financed through federal income taxes, payroll taxes, and out-of-pocket payment by enrollees. The plan was created to cover the elderly (ages sixty-five and older) and non-elderly with disabilities. Composed of four parts: A - Hospital Insurance; B - Supplemental Insurance; C - Managed Care; and D - Prescription Drugs.

According to the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) there are significant coverage gaps; the aging population and increased technology presents challenges for the future.” Unfortunately, Medicaid presents more problematic issues. “It only covers certain low-income individuals (pregnant children, elderly, disabled); not every poor person is covered” (Overview of the U.S. Healthcare System, AMSA). In addition to Medicare and Medicaid are the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP), Veterans Health Administration (VA) and Indian Health Service. S-CHIP supplements Medicaid by covering low-income children ineligible for Medicaid. “Similar problems to Medicaid: low reimbursement rates; some providers refuse to accept S-CHIP” (Overview of the U.S. Healthcare System, AMSA). Under the VA, the health benefits plan is available to all veterans and is considered to be “socialized medicine”. Since these health insurance programs were established, the United States' private spending has significantly triumphed over public spending.

In 2003, The National Health Statistics Group discovered private versus public spending was fifty-six to forty-four percent. In developed countries, the average percentage of public spending is seventy-two. Where did all of the money go? Hospital Care, 30%; Physician & Clinical Services, ...