Separate legal entities are mostly involved in the provision of health care in the United State with Health Insurance being provided by the private sectors. A sizeable number of the population is uninsured while another significant percentage is underinsured. Even though several people are not covered, the United States ranks among the top countries in the world that have the highest expenditure per capita. There have been raging debates on health care reforms, with many arguing that the system does not provide services equivalent to the amount of money that is contributed. A survey carried out by Rasmussen Reports (2010) shows that several people support the option of a single taxpayer system whereby the federal government takes responsibility for everyone, a system that has been quite effective in other developed countries like Canada. However, there are critics opposed to this system, citing reasons such as; i) that the plan might cost more than the anticipated amount while others tend to think that it will increase the deficit. ii) Another sample of the population believes that the passing of the congressional plan will compel them to change the insurance coverage that they are currently holding. The research shows that most Americans who are covered feel comfortable in their current state and fact, they are more concerned with what they might lose rather than gain (Rasmussen Reports, 2010). iii) Some other opponents of the system say that this is a form of ‘socialized medicine, a system that allows the government to own the means of providing medicine.
The public should be protected in the health care reforms by the government through investing in an electronic system in the health system. This includes the use of electronic record keeping other than the paperwork and electronic processing of claims. This will ensure that savings are made through reduced stays in hospitals, avoiding unnecessary tests, and ensuring that drugs are well utilized. Steps should also be taken to ensure that patients receive the required attention and that the providers of this health care up to their medical practice. In this case, requirements should be set for such providers to have them and ways in which they should tackle the disparities (Health Care Plan, n.d). In Barack Obama and Joe Biden’s view, to protect and promote the health of the nation, this responsibility should be shared amongst individuals, employers, health institutions, local, federal, and state governments. The workforce will be funded to ensure that more trained personnel are deployed in the health institutions. The use of worksite health promotion programs by the employers for their employees such as insurance for preventive services will help expand the health services. The governments on the other hand will work together to fund such mechanisms, recruit more workforce and construct more modernized structures as well as reassess its policies in other sectors to improve their effect on the health sector (Health Care Plan, n.d).
According to Natural Law Party (n.d), the health care system in the United States is more of a cost-effective disaster since it focuses on curing the disease rather than preventing it and upholding health. Researches have shown that a lot of deaths and diseases in America are caused by epidemics and unhealthy lifestyles such as smoking, poor nutrition habits stress, and environmental pollution. All these are preventable factors but less than 1% of the budget is spent on prevention. At the same time, most health insurance does not cover such services.
Reference List
Health Care Plan. (n.d). Barack Obama and Joe Biden’s plan to lower health care costs and ensure affordable, accessible health coverage for all. Web.
Rasmussen Reports. (2010). 34% Favor Single-Payer Health Care System. Web.
The Natural Law Party. (n.d). Platform – Health. Web.