Universal Healthcare Essay -- Healthcare Health Insurance

Introduction Universal Healthcare is a system under which basic health needs can be paid by a single government payer. Basic health care needs include treatment for urgent, emergent, preventative, reconstructive, routine, and chronic care. The United States is the only wealthy and industrialized country that does not universal health care, however, does have a publicly funded government health care program for the elderly, disabled, military service, and veterans. Programs like these only cover one quarter of the U.S. population. Universal healthcare can be thought as similar to a single-pay health care system. Single-payer health care is an American term that describes payment for doctors, hospitals and other providers for health care from a single funding source. Under the single payer system, doctors’ practices and hospital may remain private and negotiate payments with the government. How does the System Work? Most countries implement universal health care through legislation, regulation and taxation. Legislation and regulation direct what care must be provided, to whom, and on what basis. Usually some costs are paid by the patient but are subsidized by direct taxation and compensated to the patient to some extent either directly by the government or by some form of compulsory insurance. Why is it Important? It is predicted that by the year 2010 close to 52 million Americans will be without any health care coverage. As of 2004 nearly... ...premiums cost that American workers have to pay every year. Workers who are assured with their benefits will not feel obligated to choose their favorite career to pursue, and their employers don’t have to worry about the high workers’ health insurance cost and not raise their employees’ wages. Moreover, Children of low income family are guaranteed to be protected. Private insurers still exists as a choice for people who can afford their premiums and prefer the plan they are currently having. Although this might cost an increase of income tax, the benefit it brings in improving the citizens health care protection and reducing the unnecessary premium cost will in fact help the economy to function more efficiently.