Chronic conditions are a major public health crisis in America. It threatens the quality of life and health of communities, families, and individuals across the nation. Chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, are America’s leading causes of death. According to Gussow (2021), chronic conditions claim more than $300 billion in people’s healthcare expenses yearly. The problem is that there are no effective treatments for many chronic diseases, and the treatments available often have side effects that can be dangerous or even deadly. While there is no single solution to this problem, it is clear that a change in how people approach prevention and treatment is needed. They must look at these conditions from a public health perspective rather than individual health issues. This essay analyzes why chronic conditions are a public health crisis in America.
Economic Forces
Macroeconomic forces: the lack of jobs for people with chronic conditions means they cannot get treatment or care, which means they are also unable to work. The lack of money means that people cannot afford healthy food options for themselves or their families, which is one-way chronic conditions can develop over time (Czeisler et al., 2020). Microeconomic forces: many patients do not have access to healthcare providers who can help them treat their conditions effectively, especially in rural areas with limited healthcare options (Myers, 2020). It means that many people who might be able to benefit from these treatments wind up without access because they do not know where else to go or who else can help them get better.
Key Regulation Policy
The first step to fixing this problem is universal healthcare coverage for all Americans. They should also ask themselves what kind of system will best treat those needing help most. In the past, insurance companies have been able to deny coverage based on income level or pre-existing conditions, even if one is healthy, which means that some people do not get access even though they might be eligible for help. People need to change this system, so no one ever has to worry about being denied care because of their financial situation again.
Benefits and Consequences
The legislation will ensure that everyone can receive quality medical care, regardless of their ability to pay or income level. It can potentially reduce stress on families who are already struggling financially due to the cost of health care (Czeisler et al., 2020). In addition, this legislation is expected to improve access to healthcare, resulting in fewer people dying prematurely from preventable diseases like heart disease and cancer. It could significantly impact the quality of life for individuals suffering from a chronic condition and limited mobility because they cannot get around easily or safely. Since more people can afford treatment when needed, it will reduce overall costs for insurance companies and other related businesses that provide coverage. It may further help lower taxes because less money will be required to support programs like Medicare or Medicaid. It is because more people can afford insurance without taxing their income heavily at higher rates than before Congressmen passed such legislation.
Economic Impacts
The passage of the policy would significantly increase productivity and profitability. It is because employees who no longer need to worry about finding health insurance or paying out-of-pocket costs can focus on their jobs and business opportunities. With this freedom, companies can hire more people and make higher wages. It will allow individuals to spend more money at businesses that cater to their needs, thereby spurring economic growth. Another economic impact of universal health care is that it can reduce the time it takes for people to get back on their feet after an illness or injury (Myers, 2020). More people would be able to return to work earlier than they otherwise would have been able to, which could mean more money for those forced out of work by illness or injury.
References
Czeisler, M. É., Marynak, K., Clarke, K. E., Salah, Z., Shakya, I., Thierry, J. M., Ali, N., McMillan, H., Wiley, J. F., Weaver, M. D., Czeisler, C. A., Rajaratnam, S. M. W., & Howard, M. E. (2020). Delay or avoidance of medical care because of COVID-19 – related concerns – United States, 2020. Morbidity and mortality weekly report, 69(36), 1250. Web.
Gussow, Z. (2021). Leprosy, racism, and public health: Social policy in chronic disease control. Routledge.
Myers, L. (2020). Adherence to treatment in medical conditions. CRC Press.