Introduction
The debate centers on whether all Americans should have access to free healthcare. Proponents argue that providing free healthcare to every citizen is essential because it represents both a fundamental human right and a commitment to social justice. They assert that Americans must have access to sufficient care, regardless of their ability to pay for it.
The majority shares this sentiment, as a recent poll found that 60% of Americans believe the government should offer universal free healthcare (Zieff et al.). However, some argue that free healthcare burdens taxpayers and that it is not the government’s responsibility to provide healthcare. The United States should ensure free care to all its citizens because it promotes fairness and justice, improves the population’s overall health, and saves money in the long run.
Fairness and Justice
There are several reasons why universal care for Americans is a matter of fairness and justice. First, it is a fundamental human right. Everyone deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of their income level or social status. Achieving fairness for all Americans is a national goal, and providing care to all is one way to accomplish that.
Second, providing health care to all Americans would help reduce health outcomes inequalities. There are undeniable inequalities in health outcomes based on socioeconomic status, race, and ethnicity. These disparities would be reduced if everyone had access to quality health care. Thirdly, all Americans would have equal chances to live long, healthy lives with free health care (Zieff et al.). Many people lead poor health lifestyles or succumb to illnesses in America because they cannot afford health care.
Cost Effectiveness
Free healthcare would save money by reducing the number of hospitalizations in America. A study by The Commonwealth Fund found that individuals with health insurance are less likely to be hospitalized for preventable conditions (Zieff et al.). This is likely because people are more likely to have regular doctor visits and catch problems early, which means that if everyone had health insurance, there would be fewer hospitalizations, resulting in cost savings. Moreover, emergency room visits would be reduced with free health care. People with health insurance are less likely to visit the emergency department for issues that do not require immediate attention (Zieff et al.).
Thus, fewer people would visit the emergency room if everyone had health insurance, resulting in cost savings. Besides, the overall costs of healthcare are reduced when everyone has free access to healthcare. Health-insured individuals are more likely to get preventive care and treatment for health problems before they become serious. This means that people are less likely to become ill, and their illnesses are likely to be less severe when they do fall ill, which reduces overall healthcare costs because people use less expensive services more frequently.
Free Healthcare in Promoting the American Economy
A strong and thriving economy depends on having a level playing field. Providing healthcare to all Americans helps level the playing field and gives everyone a fair chance to succeed. Furthermore, increasing access to healthcare creates jobs in the healthcare sector. Providing quality care to all Americans would require more clinicians and other healthcare professionals working within facilities.
The American economy would significantly improve with an increase in the working population. A strong link exists between good health and productivity. Moreover, healthcare for all Americans advances workers’ health, increasing productivity. Thus, the wellness of all Americans is more likely to promote their gross national product.
Refuting Arguments
First, people need to understand that healthcare is a privilege, not a right or a basic need. This is because healthcare is a service provided by highly trained healthcare professionals and institutions in exchange for payment. It is not a right that all Americans are entitled to, and thus, it might be difficult to make the service accessible to all. Moreover, it is challenging for the United States to provide free healthcare to all citizens. The Healthcare sector is a complex system because it involves numerous different stakeholders – from doctors and hospitals to insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies (Zieff et al.).
It is an expensive system to fund and maintain. There are several political disagreements about how best to provide healthcare and how to pay for it. Some people argue that it is the government’s responsibility to provide healthcare for all citizens. In contrast, others believe that citizens should be responsible for their own healthcare costs. This disagreement makes it challenging to reach a consensus on providing free healthcare to all citizens.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why America should provide free healthcare to all Americans. There are many benefits to providing free healthcare to all American citizens. However, some challenges must be considered to ensure that all people receive free healthcare without weakening the American economy or raising more disagreements. It is not only the government that should worry about providing free healthcare, as other parties, such as health insurance companies and clinicians who require proper compensation, also need to be consulted. It is crucial to discuss how to provide free healthcare in a fair and just manner that takes into account the economic needs.
Work Cited
Zieff, Gabriel, et al. “Universal Healthcare in the United States of America: A Healthy Debate.” Medicina, vol. 56, no. 11, 2020, p. 580. Web.