The health care system development is one of the U.S. government priorities. Despite this, it has been in a state of crisis for a remarkably long period, and even for an elementary procedure, a patient can be billed several thousand dollars. The central issue is unequal access to medical services, and in order to protect residents from high expenditures, the health insurance system functions. Insurance in the United States is not mandatory for citizens, which has negative and positive effects. The case of its obligation has been on the agenda for numerous years, and assessing the rationality of its implementation in modern American society is a necessity.
The U.S. is the only developed country that does not have compulsory health insurance, though not in all states. The fragmented approach, consisting of the public, private and non-profit sectors, operates at the expense of a third party – insurance companies (Yabroff et al., 2019). They mediate between patients and health care providers, monitor the appropriateness of prescriptions, and pay for treatment. The foremost advantage of not compulsory health insurance at the federal level is the savings because there is no need to spend on premiums. Hence, the money remains with the individual, permitting one to save and invest in housing or loan payments. On the one hand, the absence of an obligation to purchase insurance guarantees the freedom of choice and permits one to save. However, it also has numerous disadvantages, and health risks are the most significant among them.
People assume a considerable commitment and responsibility by deciding to pay for themselves and not having insurance. It is a substantial concern if a person needs expensive medical care and does not have the money to expend from savings or monthly income. One severe accident or illness separates an individual from long-term debt, as medical bills can be significant (Yabroff et al., 2019). Not all citizens can appreciate the opportunities that insurance provides, and the question of its compulsory nature arises.
Even a minor health concern can cause a financial loss. According to United Health Group, the average cost of an emergency department visit was just over $2,000 in 2019 (Yabroff et al., 2019). It is 12 times higher than a primary care visit, but people without insurance may consider it the only option if they are sick or injured. Mandatory insurance guarantees the most critical thing – keeping the nation healthy and providing everyone with equal access to care. It is a valuable service and a way of protecting people from the enormous cost of medical expenses. Its implementation enables the share of costs and reduces economic risks.
An equally critical issue is the imposition by the authorities of a specific insurance plan that will be mandatory for everyone. It limits the freedom of choice and can cause a solid adverse reaction among the population (Yabroff et al., 2019). The government must protect the liberty to choose insurance plans while guaranteeing their accessibility to everyone. Some patients may prefer a cheap one that covers many services. Others may select the more cost-effective method, protecting against catastrophic accidents and illnesses, but at a fraction of the expense. It is vital to ensure the mandatory availability of insurance but simultaneously consider the preferences and wishes of each individual.
Thus, the introduction of compulsory health insurance is a counter-diversionary issue to which it is impossible to give an unambiguous response. Undoubtedly, a person’s right to control his fate and health is precious, but not everyone can assess all the risks. Implementing compulsory insurance could be a qualitative answer to the U.S. care crisis. Health is a core value, and its protection is an integral part of an insurance plan.
Reference
Yabroff, K. R., Zhao, J., Han, X., & Zheng, Z. (2019). Prevalence and correlates of medical financial hardship in the USA. Journal of general internal medicine, 34(8), 1494-1502. Web.