Nations Health Care Systems And America example essay topic

American Health Care Need For Change Health care advancements in America are notably the best in the world. We continually strive for preventions and cures of diseases. America has the best medical scientist and physicians that specialize in their medical fields. According to Joseph A. Calif ano Jr. (2003), "what makes America health care system great is its ability to attract the finest minds in our society", that can help the sick by preventing and curing medical complications. (p. 18).

We are noted worldwide for our medical care and physicians from other countries jump at the opportunity to join the American medical system. However, our system is based on money. The more money you have to spend, the better medical services you will receive. "According to the Bureau of Labor education at the university of main (2003), America spends more money oh health care than any other nation, "$4,178 per capita on health care in 1998", compared to the average of $1,783. (BLE., 2003, p. 23). Still an estimated "42.5 million Americans are living without health insurance", which prevents them from receiving medical treatment.

(Clim an, Scharf f, 2003, p. 33). The numbers of un-insured Americans continue to rise. Tim Middleton (2002) states, "insurance premiums grow at a rate greater than wages", when you have a low-income job. (P 9). With our current economy recession, taxes are rising and small business employers are unable to purchase health plans for their employees. Employees are realizing that they are unable to gain insurance from their jobs and beginning to speak out about the high price of health care.

The American Medical Student Association (2004) stated that "Between 1945 and 1970, America's economy was strong and booming", they owned about 60% of the world profit". (P 13). During this time employers were able to cover their employees and the employers were also able to "write off the health insurance as tax-deductibles for the company". (AMSA, 2004, P 11). As time progressed our economy began to unravel. During the 70's the world entered a recession because "the cost of economic growth of other industrialized nations began to rise rapidly", the United States felt the effect.

(AMSA, 2004, P 14). With the development of other nations, came lose of industrial production for the United States of America. American Medical Student Association (2004) stated "In 1950 we had 60% and by 1980 we only claimed 30% of the world production", this brought higher prices as well as loses of jobs. (P 13). Our economy declined, in return health care insurance for business rose. With such a drastic change in our economy and the rise of un-insured, Government did nothing productive to change the way the health care system worked.

The system was working when our economy was able to provide good health insurance premiums but when we went into recession obviously change was going to occur. Higher costs of insurance premiums to the American people were established. But with un-employment on the rise, how did government expect the average American to afford insurance. This is when I believe universal health care should have been considered, eventually taking over our current employer based system. America is only one of two industrialized nations without universal healthcare. In fact according to the Bureau of Labor (2003), "America is the only country in the developed world, except for South Africa that does not provide health care for all of its citizens". (p. 28).

Contrary to popular American belief, America ranks last on many levels of health care related issues. The organization for economic cooperation and development (OECD) (2003) "researched all industrialized nations health care systems" and America ranked last out of the other nations in health system overall performance. (p. 34). They then state, "that we also have the highest infant mortality rate", due to the number of un-insured. (OECD, 2003, p. 36). We may have the best forms of health care but with so many citizens unable to receive these benefits, are the advancements necessary.

We should turn our focus on insuring the un-insured instead of providing the insured with more medical technology. It just doesn't seem ethical. Our close neighbor, Canada has adopted a system where "every citizen receives equal health insurance benefits". (Health Canada, 2001, P 9). Canada has out ranked America for its ability to promoting human development.

All legal residents of Canada have full health coverage. According to Health policy analyst Bob Reeg, (2001) to become a legal resident, you "must have residence in Canada for 6 months". (P 13). After 6 months you are then issued a health insurance card by the "government in the territory in which the Canadian citizen lives in", at no cost.

(Bob Reeg, 2001, P 14). The health care insurance profit is spread equally through out Canada. This guarantees health services will be there when Canadians need them. "Medicare is the form of universal health insurance Canadians use", in this sort of universal system, government doesn't have "total" control over the system. (Bob Reeg, 2001, P 10). The health care money is spread out evenly to each provenience in Canada, the providences then "decides how much money is used for insurance purposes" and medical practices.

(Health Canada, 2001, P 12). Only medical needs are covered through insurance, not including cosmetic surgery. Physicians bill the government when a "patient requires medicine rather than billing the patient directly". (Health Canada, 2001, P 13). They only do what is necessary for the patient and must spend quality time diagnosing a patient, "as to give them the proper antibiotics". (Evan Roos, 2000, P 9).

I believe this will require the doctor to spend time with their patients' needs. A budget requires doctors to be more precise and professional. This is what America needs, to adopt a Universal health care system. Canada's system of medicare insurance for their citizens is what America should adopt. Medicare is currently a part of the American health care system, but only "citizens 65 years of age or older" are able to benefit. (HIA A, 1990, p. 2).

Medicare, funded by the government has also become stricter due to the growing population of the elderly. Less money is being given to the eligible recipients and some have argued with the growing number of citizens of advanced age, medicare will eventually be stopped due to our current health care system. The research I have done about universal healthcare has convinced me that if America was to change to a medicare based system; we could improve our current economy. With health insurance premiums on the rise and inflation impacting American citizens why not push for an alternative health care system that could potentially boost America and its citizens'.

Americans will be able to use their money for economic purposes. They will not have to pay a private insurer, but rely on the government for their medical purposes. Americans will spend more money in businesses, which will result in a need for more employees. According to a study done in Europe, where they compared businesses costs in North America, "Canada has the lowest business costs" and lower labor costs because they have "lower employees-sponsored benefits "due to a Universal health care system. (Health care, 2002, P 17).

This means extra money will be put in our economy to boost it and the unemployed will have the opportunity to become employed. I know that if the average American citizen were to become aware of universal healthcare and its benefits, they would consider changing towards a more government based system approach. The wealthy may look at a government-funded system differently. Some wealthy American citizens would look at our current system and agree that America does have the best all around health care system. These "higher class" citizens would appraise America for our medical advancements.

They are happy to know; often times there is a solution or medication to an illness or disease they may encounter. Look at Magic Johnson, the famous NBA basketball player, who has been living with the aids virus for years. He praises the doctors and their ability to provide him with medications that could prolong his life. Others also argue that we as "free" American citizens would be allowing the government to have too much control over our lives. For example, one might say just because Joe Smith can't afford good health coverage, doesn't mean I shouldn't be able to benefit from advanced technology. More insured would mean less money to put into advancements and physicians could only prescribe the exact medicine that is needed.

Opponents feel that there are too many restrictions when a universal health care system is used. America is known for medical break-through and highly trained physicians and this system will restrict both from performing at its best. The best is what some Americans feel they deserve. Tom Miller (2003) suggests that "the better educated are more productive at managing their own health", they will benefit by being able to use new medical technologies. (p. 40). His statement suggests that if you are currently un-insured, it is your own fault and others shouldn't be responsible for insuring you. Yes, the wealthy would agree that we have a productive healthcare system because they don't have to worry about budgeting their money accordingly.

So is it right that someone that inheritances a billion dollars can have the best medical care in the world but a single parent that works sixty hours a week, earning $7.25 per hour and supporting three children not have any benefits at all. Is it right that they have to seriously consider not taking their children to a hospital due to no medical insurance? This happens quite often where lower income families will try to wait out a sickness because they fear high medical bills that they will not be able to pay. Yes, we may have to be stricter with our health care money. But doesn't it seem right that every citizen will have the equal opportunity to receive medical care.

Medical treatment should be a humans right, not a privilege. With universal healthcare, comes cost. But we as Americans already spend more than any other country on the health care system. "One-seventh of U.S. national income, 13.6 percent", is used for medical purposes.

(Evans, 2000, P 10). We spend "45 billion dollars" more toward healthcare, "than do Canadians", yet all their citizens are insured. (Evans, 2000, pp. 10). The Canadian institute for Health Information (2000) concluded that Canadian residents "spent on average 3.1% of their after taxes towards healthcare.

(P 2). Americans "pay 4.3%" in taxes which is more than the universal funded Canadian residents. (CIH I, 2002, P 6). America's system clearly only advantages those able to afford health insurance. We have to spend money more cost-effectively. Our advancements may be less funded but I feel this money could be better used in a universal healthcare system program.

What the government needs to do is control the budget. Take that 45 billion dollars used on medical technology and distribute through out the country as needed to local governments. Similar to the Canadian system, the government will then give their citizens a medical card where each individual will have the equal opportunity to choose among physicians in their location that they will receive care from. As in Canada, a universal healthcare system could mean a waiting list. Robert Evans (2001) states that most Canadians "do not find their waits problematic", because they will get treated while Americans are "rationed by ability to pay, not by waiting". (P 13, 14).

But those with emergency cases will forego the wait list and be serviced. This system is fair because everyone has the same access to health care. No discrimination upon race, wealth or disabilities. If people know they can be medically treated without being questioned about their insurance, or asked an address to send the bills too, they likely wouldn't mind being put on a waiting list. The citizens know eventually they will be diagnosed and treated without worrying about medical bills. This topic is a very important issue to me.

I have been watching a lump develop in my left breast. It has slowly enlarged over the past couple of years and I have not see ked medical attention. This is due to my lack of medical insurance. I am in my 20's, work at a minimum wage job where I do not receive benefits and I only make enough money to pay my bills, eat and afford high price gas. I have put this serious medical issue last on my priority list.

I am concerned and have come to a point where I don't want to go to the doctor, fearing that the diagnoses will be negative. Why should a seemingly young, healthy active and productive citizen be deprived access to health care or be stuck with a bill that I cannot afford. In today's society money has taken priority over human life, The above example exhibits it. My story is just one of many that have proven that our health care system is clearly geared toward the wealthy. The wealthy citizens in America get diagnosed and treated with the best medical care in the world. But the wealthy are only a select few, while the rest of the citizens struggle to get medical benefits or lack insurance all together.

The only effective way to make the system fair is to adopt a medicare, universal healthcare system, similar to our neighboring country Canada. Promoting a government funded healthcare system is my mission; I hope you will consider my reasons for making our health care system equal among all citizens. The ability to seek health care is a human right..