Final Arguement Paper

Universal Healthcare

Tasha Smith

Zachary Martin

04/16/2016

Universal Health Care

Universal healthcare has had significant reforms. One of the significant changes is the provision of free healthcare. It is an undeniable fact that the provision of free health services has some benefits. The benefits of provision of free universal healthcare include improved health care to people. Universal healthcare provides accessible health services to the population in different regions in the world. Universal health care has reduced high poverty levels. Poor people can access specialized treatment such as cancer.

Universal health care has seen the majority population seek preventive care to avert the occurrence of diseases such as cancer. Another advantage is that universal health care coverage promotes equality and fairness. Irrespective of income or wealth, every person can access health care services in any part of the world. Universal health care coverage leads to decrease in healthcare administrative costs. This is a positive impact on the healthcare organizations. A single body has undertaken all administrative activities such as billing and insurance payouts.

Universal healthcare has led to economic growth and better living standards since population does not spend much money paying for health care services. The money that could have been used for healthcare services have been put in income generating activities such as business resulting in economic growth and development and improved standards of living of the general population.

However, they are various disadvantages of having universal health care. Several experts have studied the cons of universal healthcare. They argue out that universal healthcare reduces standards of healthcare. The paper presents an argument that denies the notion that universal health care should be available and free to every person. Universal healthcare coverage should not be provided to all patients because it results in adverse implications such as long waiting time, socialism state as well as an increased government time.

Long Wait Time

This type of healthcare system results in patients waiting for long to be served by medical practitioners. The numbers of patients are many, congesting hospitals, clinics, sanatoriums, and dispensaries. The system then becomes slow and tedious for the few hospital workers. Long wait time causes weak submission of services, poor sanitation and hence degrading overall value of health care. A patient may go the emergency room with an emergency but kept waiting because of a patient who came earlier with a less severe medical condition, for example, the flu. (Niles, 2014)

Leads to Socialism State

A socialism state refers to a state whereby people work and are forced to share their earnings with people who may not be working. Universal health care would require the government to raise taxes for all citizens to cater for the overhead healthcare costs such as paying off doctors and nurses. Universal health care then leads to the destruction of the economy. The medical workers in a social state would be required to accept a lower amount regarding salary. This will reduce the attraction of the practice. The doctors and nurses who are not paid well and work more will strike or work poorly since they do not have motivation. Universal healthcare could lead to a shortage of doctors and nurses. (Steffen W. Schimdt, 2013)

Increased Government Debt

Universal health care leads to the implementation of a single-payer health care system. Single payer health care system causes an increase in the amount paid by citizens for taxes. The overall costs of the system are high and drain the country. This leads to massive debts. The healthcare system puts a heavy strain on the public budget. (Davis, 2002)

Conclusion

In conclusion, the provision of free health care services to the public also has an adverse impact on daily health care. For instance, it would cause an increased government debt, facilitate long waiting time in the medical facilities as well as creating a socialism state. The adoption of free universal health care should be streamlined to cater for its faults.

References

Davis, J. B. (2002). The Social Economics of Health Care. Routledge, 2002.

Niles, N. J. (2014). Basics of the U. S. Health Care System. Jones & Bartlett Publishers, 2014.

Steffen W. Schimdt, M. C. (2013). American Government and Politics Today, 2013-2014 Edition. Cengage Learning 203.