America. That word used to mean something. It used to mean the greatest place to live on earth. It used to mean the highest standard of living in the world. It used to mean something, but today it is just the name of a country. Since the advent of the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, or the NHS, in 1948, America has been lagging behind where it counts most, protecting the lives of its citizens.
Grab a chair and get ready to sit down, because here come some grave statistics about your money and worse – your health. In 2007 the United States of America has dropped down to 45th in the world when it comes to life expectancy at birth (World Fact Book). This is down from 11th in 1984 and 42nd in 2004 (Ohlemacher). Also, the United States has dropped in 2007 down to 41st in infant mortality with a rate of 6.37 per thousand live births (Infant Mortality Rate). The worst part about it all though is that America ranks first in the world in the cost of health care at $6,697 per capita which is more than double that of the second highest spender, Switzerland, but is ranked only 37th in health care by the World Health Organization (Commonwealth Fund). The statistics are black and white and clear as day; our current health care system is the most inefficient in the world.
Why a universal health care system and not just mild reforms to Medicare and Medicaid? I’ll tell you why, because it brings at least some equality to the system. Under the current system of employer-based health care it has become a case of the Haves and Have-Nots. People who have a household income of $50,000 or more in the U.S. are doing relatively well-off, just approximately eight percent are uninsured, but over one out of every five citizens who make under that are uninsured and almost one out of three whose household incomes are less than $20,000 are too (Langer). Even though these numbers may not seem to be a lot, it adds up to be nearly 46 million Americans who are without a health insurance provider (Colliver). A universal health care system in the United States will ensure that like education, health care will be guaranteed for all citizens.
There has been some criticism of universal health care plans, but they are often out of sheer ignorance on the subject. A common misconception is that universal health care plans are un-American because of their socialist nature, but it is quite the contrary, it is un-American to deny 46 million United States citizens with the right to health care, something that is essential to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Another opposing viewpoint is that under government provided health care the tax increase would not be worth it, but what you would see happen is that instead of you or your employer taking the cost of health insurance out of your salary in large amounts the government would instead be doing it resulting in a higher efficiency of your money as seen in the countries with a universal health care plan already enacted (Commonwealth Fund). Many people feel that the government would not be able to handle the job of health care and would not trust them, but in nearly all countries with universal health care there is also a choice for you and your family, privatized care after the government’s universal health care. Just like how like most Americans attend public school but have the alternative of paying money (not including taxes for the public schools) to attend a private one (Colliver). One criticism with some truth behind it is that there may be a longer wait for care under universal plan, but I would ask those who use this as a reason to not enact the plan if it is not worth sacrificing an hour at the emergency room or a week on a waiting list to lift America back to its spot atop number one in health in the world.
America is ready for universal health care. In an extensive scientific poll by ABCNEWS it was found that Americans favor a universal health care system 62% over the current system which had the preference of 32% (Langer). Andrew Hoein said when asked if he thought that universal health care in the United States was a good idea that “In theory I think that it is an excellent idea.” He does however, have concerns whether or not it is feasible. He stated, “The practicality of it is questionable. I mean, to have a healthcare system that covers 300 million plus people is going to require a lot of government overseeing, and I'm not sure that the logistics of it work out in the long run” (Hoein). The question of the United States inefficiency and why we are spending so much money and not having the most success in the world is a very big issue, but Mr. Hoein is unsure of whether or not this necessarily requires a universal system, but agrees that there needs to be a big change in the system by saying, “It's definitely an issue... Whether the answer to helping these people lies in [Universal Health Care] or some other form of healthcare should definitely be a priority for the government” (Hoein). As I have stated before, it has become an issue of the Haves and Have-Nots, only one group of people believe that the current employer provided health insurance system is better, people making over $100,000 a year, but only by a slim margin - 52% of them prefer it that way (Langer).
It is in the United States of America’s best interests to convert to a universal health care plan. It would mean a decrease in spending on health care, resulting in a better economy, and a better quality of care for its denizens. Two of the most famous lines in the Declaration of Independence are, “All men are created equal,” and shortly thereafter in it, “[Men] are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men.” The purpose of the United States’ government is to secure the rights of the people, with the foremost of them being life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness then we must do something to help better protect these rights: enact a universal health care plan.
Works Cited
Colliver, Victoria. “We spend far more, but our health care is falling behind." San Francisco
Chronicle 10 July 2007
Commonwealth Fund. "One-third Of US Adults Call For Completely Rebuilding Health Care
System." ScienceDaily 4 November 2007. 4 November 2007
Hoein, Andrew. E-Mail interview. 04 Nov 2007.
"Infant Mortality Rate." World Fact Book. 01 Nov 2007. CIA. 4 Nov 2007
Langer, Gary. "Health Care Pains." ABC News. 20 Oct 2003. 5 Nov 2007
"Life Expectancy at Birth." The World Fact Book. 01 Nov 2007. CIA. 4 Nov 2007
Ohlemacher, Stephen. “US Slipping in Life Expectancy Rankings." Washington Post 12 Aug
2007
