Compared with other developed nations, America lags behind in the provision of quality and affordable healthcare to its citizens. This research paper will discuss some of the challenges facing the industry and solutions that can be applied to rectify them. Rising costs of medical care Healthcare is the leading socio-economic challenge affecting Americans. The ever increasing cost of medical care and insurance in affecting the American way of life in many aspects. Having problems paying for primary healthcare is no longer the preserve of the poor or the unemployed, but is affecting even those with medical insurance (Shea, 2005).
Judging on the past of health care and the major developments that have been made in the last 150 years, the economics of it all have also changed dramatically. The demand for health care is nowhere near meeting the supply, struggling with retaining employees and offering efficient care all over the world. The health care economy is the most grossing industry in the United States, with a gross domestic product of 3.5 trillion dollars. With results like that, elasticity in health care seems somewhat unheard of. The need for health care is dire, yet the prices just increase.
They believe that the lack of preventative care, and the resulting poorer health, places an even higher burden on the taxpayer then universal coverage would. The booklet Insuring America's Health: Principles and Recommendations (2004), by the Committee on the Consequences of Uninsurance, is an informative source for information on this timely and relevant topic. Based on this group of reports it is clear that health care coverage should be universal. The size of the uninsured population in many areas has led to the erosion of vital services like physicians practices, public health services, and emergency centers, because significant funds had to be redirected to the care of the uninsured. The nation’s economy has been affected, because of poorer health, with a 65 to 130 billion estimated annual cost.
The current health care system in the United States is a structure that is intertwined with both a private and public sector. The system that is set up in the United States is the most expensive health care system in the world (Institute of Medicine, 2010). In the United States people spend more money on medical care than anywhere in the world. In addition, people are more concerned with the rising costs of health care than collective access for the American people (Shi and Singh, 2008). I think that this is the time for the government to step in and make some changes in the health care system.
Jonathan M. Saldua Mr. M. May Government AP 3 February 2011 Unfair Health Care in America To tell you the truth I did not know it was this bad. The health care system in the United States of America is shocking; millions of underprivileged Americans are suffering from illnesses that are completely treatable. Health care should be universal; the United States of America is more than capable enough to provide it to everyone. If you would just look at the list of life expectancy for every country, for the past 30 years, you would see that America’s numbers continue to decrease. So what’s the problem?
I do believe rationing should be used throughout our country. We have so much waste in our country at this time. If we stop wasting so much money in this medical industry, we could pay for care for those who do not even have insurance. I think educating families about end of life care is completely necessary. We waste huge amounts of dollars on end of life care, knowing the statistical outcome.
with all of its technology and high industrial development is still lacking to provide all its citizens health services. The health care system in the U.S. has major faults that affect both patients and physicians. Many Americans lack health insurance, and cannot be seen by a physician routinely. There is a shortage of physicians due to the cost of medical school and of malpractice insurance. In order to provide free education for medical students, malpractice insurance for physicians, and free health care for everyone, taxes need to be raised.
This is also invalid because it is better to pay taxes rather than over priced medical bills. The last con is that people will have a longer wait time. That is also invalid because the more people that visit the more of a demand there will be for Doctors. A universal health care system would extend care to all Americans regardless of social status or bank account. Health care has become extremely unaffordable for both businesses and individuals.
Come on America, You can do Better Ethel Jones SOC 120: Introduction to Ethics & Social Responsibility Professor Christine Villasenor April 18, 2011 Come on America, We can do Better The debate on health care coverage is a hot topic in the news today. It is a political hot seat and I feel that it will be a major talking point right into the rallying cries for the upcoming presidential election in 2012. Some people feel that it is a privilege to have health care coverage. Unfortunately, the rising cost of health insurance is making it a privilege that more and more Americans are not able to afford. Every citizen in the United States has the right to quality health care coverage.
Economists estimate about 2 trillion will be spent on medical care in 2007. That is about $6,830 per person, which amounts to 16 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product. Clemmitt, Marcia (2006, April 7) Rising health cost (vol.16, Issue 13). Recent reports from (Clemmit,2006) recognize the fact that rising health care costs have made health insurance too expensive for many employers to offer and health care itself too costly for tens of millions of Americans.