Healthcare

Healthcare

Introduction

The term “Healthcare” refers to equal health coverage for all residents of a nation “funded by the government under [a] single-payer system” (Cummings). The United States currently does not utilize universal healthcare; its health insurance is provided mainly through employers and by private companies. This consumer-driven system is harmful to the residents of the United States who are unemployed and cannot afford expensive private insurance. It also facilitates the need for welfare and, even then, those on public assistance receive a lower quality of care. Universal Healthcare would lower the mortality rate in the United States by solving the problem of the uninsured and the underinsured, as well as halt rising healthcare costs in the U.S. In addition, the consumer-driven healthcare system we now utilize reflects the uneven distribution of power and influence in the healthcare sector, the majority of power belonging to the upper or corporate class. Yet with all the evidence supporting the need for national health insurance, both sides of this controversy must be examined to illuminate the extent to which its lack thereof is a detriment to the citizens of the United States.

Literature review

The American Association for Labor Legislation started lobbying for healthcare and, by 1920, eight states had assigned formal administrations to investigate the topic of healthcare. In 1915, the Association had developed a “Standard Bill” for healthcare, which many state legislators then adopted (Terris 13). However, the concept of universal healthcare did not emerge until the early 1930s. This era accommodated Federal-state health insurance and NHI still received strong opposition. With the Great Depression came a high unemployment rate and a need for extended healthcare. Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans were created in an attempt to solve the need for sufficient healthcare. In addition, health care began to be provided through employers. This resulted from the freeze in wages accompanying World War II. Workers were displaced into the defense industry and employers used health coverage rather than wages to attract them to urban areas. Employer-sponsored healthcare became popular and remained a “permanent issue” (Cummings).

Rising cost of healthcare

Universal healthcare had been attained, but only for those who were employed. Advocates of universal healthcare then focused their efforts on the unemployed. “Government health insurance was considered for inclusion in the Social Security Act of 1935, but was shelved because of the opposition of the American Medical Association” (Terris 16). It was not until the mid-1960s that health insurance was incorporated into the Social Security Act. The programs Medicare and Medicaid, along with Titles 18 and 19 of the Social Security Act were then implemented to provide adequate coverage to all Americans. However, Medicare and Medicaid, which provided NHI to those over 65, proved inefficient.

Medicare,… has been less than satisfactory. No limits were set in Medicare; hospitals were to be paid “reasonable cost,” and physicians and other practitioners “reasonable charges.” Escalation of services on the one hand, and of charges and fees on the other, was therefore inevitable in a fee-for-service medical economy (Terris ...