Why We Need Universal Healthcare Essay -- Health Care, Medicare

Why We Need Universal Healthcare Many would argue that here, in the United States, we have the best healthcare in the world. We benefit from the most up to date medical technologies, medications, and services. People come from every corner of the world to take advantage of our top notch physicians and facilities. But is this reputation warranted, and if so, at what cost? The average annual cost per US resident is $7,681; this comprises 16.2% of our gross domestic product. These costs rank us among the highest of industrialized nations (Lundy, 2010). Does this high expenditure equate to better outcomes? According to the National Scorecard on US Health System Performance (2008), the US received a 65 out of 100 possible points. Compared with 19 other industrialized nations, the US came in last place in preventable mortality. Preventable mortality means just that, deaths which could have been prevented if â€Å"timely and effective care† could have been provided (The Commonwealth Fund on a High Performanc e Health System, 2008). In 2000, the World Health Organization performed their first ever comparison of the health systems of the world. They reviewed 191 different countries and ranked them on numerous parameters, the United States ranked 37th for overall health system performance (WHO, 2000). Is it that our healthcare system is truly that poor, or is it that our care is only excellent for those patients who can actually afford it? A universal healthcare system would not only provide healthcare for all, it could also decrease our healthcare spending and potentially produce better health outcomes. High quality and less expensive healthcare can be achieved with a universal healthcare model. In fact, the United States is the... ...healthcare. At this point, the law encourages the free market system by requiring employers to purchase private insurance for their employees or face penalties. It also imposes new regulations on private insurers mandating that they provide insurance for all people, regardless of health status and preexisting conditions (KaiserEDU.org, 2010). The effects of the new act will not be seen for many years, the majority of the sections are not required to be in action until 2014. In the meantime, detractors of the law are working tirelessly to have it overturned. We have the benefit of closely examining how other countries of the world provide healthcare for all of their citizens. We can compare what works with what does not. Maybe it’s time we stop trying to fix our already broken system and focus on real change, universal healthcare as a right, not a privilege.