Is Healthcare A Right?

The United States is known as one of the greatest world powers: however it is held back by its weak healthcare system. As of 2010 the US healthcare system currently ranks the 37th best out of 190 countries (Murray). Before the introduction of the Affordable Care Ac in 2010, the United States had an individual insurance market. It was the responsibility of the individual or their employer to take care of their healthcare costs. On top of this, millions of people could be denied insurance by different agencies due to pre-existing claims. Healthcare was expensive, but the costs were nothing compared to the medical bills owed by an uninsured person. Universal healthcare is a basic right not a privilege. Everyone should be given the

There will always be a debate over what is considered fair healthcare in America. As long as there is no national healthcare system that is equal for everyone, there will be arguments over whether it is a right or a privilege. Research will show that healthcare is a basic right for every human being in the world, and that by having a national healthcare system in America, this right can be

In addition, health care industry can affect every living person in United State in one way or another. For instance, the uninsured are excluded from services, charged more for medical services and die when medical care could have saved them(Berkin, 2012). America is known to have some of the best doctors, and healthcare facilities in the World, however two thirds of our country do not have an access to health insurance, or cannot afford it(Berkin, 2012). The Right to Health Care notes that the United States is one of the few, if not, only, developed nation in the world that does not guarantee

One of the great hypocrisies of American culture is found in its health care system. The United States claims in its Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal” and that all of these men have the inalienable rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Yet this is the same country that allows over 120 people to die each day because they are uninsured. How can this nation claim that all are created equal and have a right to life when they deny healthcare to those who cannot afford it? This issue has come on the scene relatively soon, having only truly been discussed beginning in the early 20th century. Since that time, a fear of socialism stemming from tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union throughout the century has placed a stigma on the concept of universal health care because it is similar to the Soviet’s socialized medicine. In recent years, President Obama made great strides toward universal health care by passing the Affordable Care Act, but some would argue that while America is on the right track, more can be done to care for the nation’s poor. Others argue that the economic impact of such policies could cause problems for America. Though creating a universal health care system has complex logistical and economic consequences, health care is an internationally acknowledged human right and should not be denied to the American people.

There are providers, of public hospitals community and rural health centers, and local health department considered to be safety net providers that service the uninsured. But the result of increased demand has caused limited capacity and decreased treatment options due to eroding finances (KFF, 2013). In order to improve the well beings of Americans, it is imperative to establish a health care policy that will deliver comprehensive coverage for all.

Prior to The ACA, the United States was primarily composed of a private health care system. This meant that employers, families or individuals would buy health insurance through private insurance companies. There were also Medicare and Medicaid government insurance programs for qualifying individuals. (Bradey, 2016) Typically the Medicare program is reserved for those individuals who have reached retirement age and Medicaid is for the poor. There are exceptions to each of the programs that this paper will not explore.

As stated in the text, the United States provides a market based health system. Not until recently, the majority of the population could only access the insurance market through an employer based system. The ability to acquire insurance or gain access into the market outside of this medium was, in most cases, exorbitant for the average citizen. Nevertheless, government assistance programs like Medicare and Medicaid were made available to certain demographics of the population who qualified for these programs, such as citizens from the age

Having a health care is a right that everyone should have, as the World Health Organization (WHO) Constitution enshrines “…the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental right of every human being.” It means that those that cannot afford health care should also be entitled to it just as they are entitled to food, housing, work, education, non-discrimination, access to information, and participation.

Major Public (Government) Insurers: Medicare and Medicaid, Department of Veteran Affairs, Department of Defense, Public Health Services, Worker’s Compensation, and TRICARE

In todays’ healthcare most people with private insurance today get coverage through their employers. Public programs provide

There are many different types of coverage for health insurance, each having their own unique processes as well as reimbursement methods. Heath insurance coverage can either be offered by an employer, paid for monthly by beneficiary, or may be obtained through serving in the armed forces. Insurance can be categorized under as ether individual insurance or group insurance. With individual insurance only applies to the individual that’s enrolled in the policy and the individuals’ dependents. Individual insurance isn’t available through a group rate thus; premiums will be higher than if the individual had group insurance. Group insurance is a master policy that’s usually purchased by an organization or employer that that covers the employees as well as their dependents. The policyholder’s dependents are the spouse and children under a certain age. Group insurance usually offers lower premiums with better benefits. The different types of insurance coverage includes, hospital insurance, an indemnity plan or fee for service plan, hospital indemnity insurance, medical insurance, surgical insurance outpatient insurance, special risk insurance, major medical insurance, catastrophic insurance, short-term insurance, full-service insurance, long-term insurance,

Government insurance is divided into four different types Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and VA. Medicare is government program that covers individuals 65 and older and disabled. Medicare is single payer program paid only by the government (Ping Chua, 2006). Medicare is financed by payroll tax, federal income tax and premiums from individuals enrolled in part C and D. Medicaid is a government program designed for low income families whose income is 138% or $16,000 annually per individual, and disabled. However, only the 32 states that chose to expand Medicaid are providing Medicaid for their residents (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2015). Medicaid is financed by both the federal and state. CHIP is a government program that was created to cover children whose families don’t qualify for Medicaid and are too poor to purchase private health coverage on their own. CHIP was also designed to cover pregnant women (Ping Chua, 2006). The federal and state government also finance the CHIP program. Lastly VA, which is Veteran’s Administration, is a federally administered program for veterans. The federal government through payroll finances this type of government insurance (Ping Chua, 2006).

Another benefit associated with free health care system is that it preserves life as it ensures free treatment to the entire citizens despite their financial status. Apparently, the life of a human being is sacred and incomparable with any amount of money. It is unethical for an individual to die due to lack of finance. As stated by Obama, the United States is known to have the most skilled doctors and healthcare facilities in the world (526). Ironically, the two third of the Americans have no access to health insurance cover, meaning, they cannot afford to get the health services from the best doctors and the best facilities in the country. To protect life and to avoid unnecessary deaths of the innocent citizens, free access to medical services should be a distinct system to be employed in the United States of America.

Of developed nations, the United States health coverage system represents a costly, inefficient, and inadequate example of delivering medical services. Unlike other developed nations, in which basic health services are provided as a service of the public sector to all citizens, the United States system is primarily comprised of private insurance companies covering 63.9% of the population, as well as a patchwork of public sector administered programs for the poor, elderly, disabled, veterans, and government employees (U.S. Department of Commerce).

Health care is an essential service "like education, clean water and air and protection from crime, all of which we already acknowledge are public responsibilities." Never mind that many Americans do not believe that public agencies are in fact providing adequate schooling, pollution control, and crime prevention. If we think health care is a right, then we should be appalled that the United States is the only western democracy whose citizens do not have universal access to health care. If you think health care is a commodity, then you should accept the fact that some of those without coverage will end up at the mercy of their hospital when the medical bills come due. Realizing that there is no free lunch when it comes to health care. That is why health care should be rationed by government regulations.