Universal health care is a taxpayer-funded government health program that is designed to provide coverage concurrently with existing private health insurance plans. This type of health care system already exists in countries such as Canada and Western Europe where all citizens have access to health care services.
Costs
The costs that are required for universal health care are an enormous obstacle to overcome before any meaningful policy can be adopted. Most countries that provide universal health care have some kind of tax that is paid by citizens for the cost of the insurance. A tax can also come in the form of a premium that is paid for services. Once the issue of costs has been resolved, then universal health care can be seen as a viable option for the future of health care.
Considerations
There are many potential considerations to the creation of a universal health care system. People who are against a universal health care system believe that choices of doctors, as well as options for treatment, will be limited. Another consideration about a universal heath care system is the decline of private health insurers such as health maintenance organizations and preferred provider organizations. This is because there is a fear that universal health care could be provided at a lower price than these types of organizations charge.
Benefits
A universal health care system has many benefits. One benefit is that doctors and providers can turn their concentration to helping patients instead of insurer demands and liability insurance for malpractice. This can increase the efficiency of doctors, who do not have to worry about restrictions as a result of insurance company policies. Other benefits include not having individuals opt out of treatments or medical tests because of the high costs that are involved.
Disadvantages
There are many disadvantages to mandating a universal health care system, such as the initial cost to implement the program. Other disadvantages include having another government-run agency or service that may not run efficiently because of excess red tape. Also, healthy people will need to pay for coverage they do not use.
Small Businesses
There are concerns that universal health insurance could become a financial burden to small-business owners and the self-employed, who would have to help pay for universal health insurance. Proponents of universal health care are looking at alternatives to offset the costs of universal health insurance.
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