Essay on Healthy San Francisco Plan

Most people say that the government’s role, in our diets, is the key for a healthier life. While others may argue that it is freedom of choice to eat whatever we want. However depending on the point of view, the government’s role in shaping what we consume is either a compulsory intervention or a blatant interference on American free will. Even though we hear a good argument on the government controlling our diets, most research show that the involvement of the government on our diets has shown little to no results.

It is essential for the United States government to provide its entire citizen with a free health care. This system ensures that everyone has an access to medical services regardless to his or her social status. It is an important way of preserving life as free health care plan ensures free treatment to the entire citizen. In addition, it can play a big role of ensuring that there is an improved access to health services. Ensuring that all American citizens have an access to the right health care will in turn decrease health care costs. It can also help to stop medical bankruptcies in the entire nation. Lastly, it is one way of reducing poverty as it will lower the debt of the US which would then increase employment.

Today uninsured Americans make up approximately 4.2 million people. Because these families cannot afford the high cost of insurance, they do not get the health care needed to maintain good health. They must live with the pain and worry of the problem and when they do get medical care, they assume huge debts and another worry of how to pay for it.

Health is the most important thing one can have. Without good health, people cannot continue living. Thus, Congress drafted a bill called Affordable Care Act, or commonly known as Obamacare, on March 23, 2010. This new healthcare reform strategize to increase affordable healthcare insurance and lower the costs of healthcare for citizens. One important aspect of the bill is that it demand all insurance companies to cover every client despite his or her pre-existing conditions. The motto for this reform is “quality over quantity,” which means the government want to shift healthcare from higher price to higher benefits. The primary goal of the bill is to lower future government spending (Pear, Robert).

Tolbert, Ebeler and Schwartz (2008) report general agreement that the growing problem of the uninsured is one that is of great public concern. There is a general agreement that the problem of the uninsured needs to be addressed but there is little to no consensus as to how best to expand coverage. A wide range of policies targeting every segment of the healthcare system has been suggested as potential strategies for broadening coverage. These strategies differ in terms of their scope. Some seek change in increments while others suggest total system redesign. Some would focus only on the uninsured while others would promote coverage for all Americans. They also offer different mechanisms for achieving coverage expansions.

Over the recent years number of American are without health insurance has increase significantly. The resent growth of uninsured American is mainly due to unemployment and permanent disables. At that, most American are employed, fulltime and still making the decision not to have insurance because some think it is the federal government responsibility. Today, the United State has over twenty million of American uninsured. In 2009 over thirty-five million were uninsured. The Afford Care Act ongoing issue on whether the government should provide health care for uninsured. The aims of Affordable Care Act were to ensure that all seniors have healthcare insurance, and to improve the health care delivery systems.

The impacts of a large portion of the population being uninsured can have an adverse reaction on the population who are insured. Study done by RAND Corporation and a UCLA shows that it hard for insured patients to find a regular source of care, have delay in their care or going care, and less satisfied with their care (Kelly, 2011, Para 2). Furthermore, high rates of uninsured population can also increase rate of acute health conditions and diagnoses. Thus, causing American health care to be more expensive and increase raise in disease, and sickness in the American population. According to Kaiser Family Foundation (2017), “Because people without health coverage are less likely than those with insurance to have regular outpatient care, they

First, having affordable health care in the United States will decrease the number of uninsured. Although the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or Obamacare has decreased the number of uninsured people yet, there are still people without acquiring health insurance. According to The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), which is a non-profit organization focusing on the national health issue and serving as a non-partisan source, individuals below the poverty line are at the highest risk of being uninsured. In 2015, 46% of uninsured adults said that they tried to get coverage, but did not because it was too expensive (KFF). The cost of health insurance is still an ordeal for people to get covered. The U.S government needs to consider that it is disproportionate

Having more citizens enrolled in Health Care plan lowers overall health care costs. Estimates predict that budget deficit will be reduced by $143 billion dollars over the next ten years due to lower health care costs. (Radnofsky, 2012)

From a cost perspective, there is an argument which suggests that uninsured individuals are the reason that costs are being driven up. However, according to the Pacific Research Institute, this is not the case. They argue that far less uninsured individuals use health care services, much less being a strain on them. They point towards Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries as being responsible for the majority of the cost. If anything, the uninsured are subsidizing the insured, as hospitals are often seen shifting costs to the uninsured, citing that they are doing so in order to quality for governmental grants (Graham, 2007).

Patients who are uninsured tend to incur more medical debt. This debt is mainly due to frequent admissions to the Emergency Department. Although the cost of admission is quite expensive, uninsured individuals always admit themselves to the emergency room. This is because Emergency Departments cannot refuse service regardless of health insurance status. Once service has been provided, uninsured individuals are left with high cost claims to pay; which eventually turns into a debt.

The perspective I have about the recent efforts to help the uninsured in the U.S is it has come a long way towards positive change since the 1950’s till now. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA)/ Obama Care, has provided the uninsured with medical insurance and access to reduce the risk of health issue through prevention. The law expands eligibility for public insurance, use of federal subsidies to make private coverage more affordable, new rules on insurers and employers to make coverage more accessible, and require all Americans to have some form of health insurance (Knickman and Kovner, 2015). The outcome of this enactment; 5 million Americans enrolled in state Medicaid programs, 8 million received public subsidies,

The uninsured population is also causing havoc in the health care market. This group of individuals may not have the opportunity to obtain health insurance through an employer or cannot afford the cost due to their income. The Affordable Care Act is in place to assist them with getting insurance. Many people deem this act impractical as some of the plans available are not affordable. This government is currently working on trying to eliminate this mode to receive coverage however they need to streamline the process and find ways to make this suitable for the citizens. Having insurance coverage is vital one’s health as well as the economy. Individuals without insurance are less inclined to seek care which can be detrimental to their health and

Due to the high cost of universal coverage, taxpayers’ dollars will be used to offset the cost. Although coverage may be initially cheaper up front, a raise in taxes will account for the rest. This means less money in the consumer’s pocket, further hurting the economy. This also means that some taxpayers will be paying and providing for other citizens. When something is offered, especially at a reduced price many tend to take advantage of what is being offered, in this case health care. Many working citizens do not want to foot the bill of health care for other citizens who can not afford it. The government not providing health care doesn’t mean that those in need wont get help. Because you cannot be turned away from the emergency room, emergency and life threatening coverage is always available for those in need and isn’t limited to only those with money.

Have you ever wondered exactly what the government does for our country in regards to health care? Many have the impression that the government is not really of much assistance to them. However, in reality, the government does more than most people realize. The government actually plays a vital role in health care but most people look past it. I am sure very few people have actually sat down and pondered or even have done research to find out the impact of the government’s role in health care. However, I intend to clear up this misconception. The federal and state governments are the largest supporters of health care services in the United States. Examples of support that our government provides include assisting those