Introduction
Extending affordable healthcare to all citizens is an important and relevant issue in modern society. However, despite the idea’s popularity, the cost of such dissemination remains a matter of debate. To completely understand this problem, it is necessary to consider the facts surrounding the cost of providing essential health services to the entire United States population and the proposed financing approaches.
Challenges in Securing Health Funding
Identifying sources of funding is a significant challenge. One option is to introduce additional personal or corporate taxes to provide health services to those who cannot afford them. This raises questions about the fairness of this approach.
High-income people may find it unfair to pay extra, while low-income people have access to health care (Ruthberg et al., 2020). Nevertheless, it is worth considering that public health is a paramount factor for the stability and prosperity of society. Therefore, the distribution of health expenditures can be a fair and necessary step.
Private vs. Public Insurance: Weighing the Options
The choice between private and public insurance is also relevant. The employer-funded private insurance system offers certain advantages, such as a wide choice of doctors and the possibility of obtaining additional services. However, the move to a unified pay system could reduce inequalities in access to health care and facilitate access to health care. Ultimately, the choice should be left to each individual, considering each system’s advantages and disadvantages.
Implications for Stakeholders and Society
The likely consequences for all stakeholders should be carefully considered. Citizens will have access to more affordable health care, improving the general health of the population and reducing the burden of medical costs on individuals (Levy et al., 2020). Regardless, there is a risk of growing the tax burden for some segments of the population and a potential reduction in healthcare quality due to the tremendous strain on the system.
Conclusion
In conclusion, extending health services to all citizens is a complicated issue that needs thorough consideration. Financing, equity, and choice between insurance schemes are vital to ensuring access to health care. A balance must be struck between ensuring health for all and a sustainable financial model to achieve better results for all stakeholders.
References
Levy, B. R., Slade, M. D., Chang, E., Kannoth, S., & Wang, S. (2020). Ageism amplifies cost and prevalence of health conditions. Gerontologist, 60(1), 174–181. Web.
Ruthberg, J. S., Khan, H., Knusel, K. D., Rabah, N. M., & Otteson, T. D. (2020). Health disparities in the access and cost of health care for otolaryngologic conditions. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 162(4), 479–488. Web.