Universal Health Care
Universal health care is a model for offering health services to citizens involving the participation of a government in meeting the financial costs. Universal health care coverage is commonly implemented through compulsory insurance schemes for citizens paid by the government. There are several ways used to raised funds for such among them taxation of the citizens, community-based health insurance and private insurance among others. Universal health care was popularized and adopted by several countries such as Canada, Australia, UK and Germany in the 20th Century after World War II as part of the health reform process. The main aim was to make health care services accessible to all, regardless of one’s inability to afford health services. Currently, there is a division of opinion on the sanctity of providing universal healthcare. While many oppose it, it is undeniable that the benefits of universal healthcare far outweigh the hardships caused by the process. Furthermore, it is wiser to improve the process rather than dismiss it altogether.
The opposition to universal health care as illustrated in the article by Thomasas it uses taxation by the government to the citizens to pay for the health care systems (Szasz, 1). They find it oppressing to the tax payer to harbor costs that do not belong to them. Additionally, opposition is based on the fact that several individuals fail to take action to safeguard their health. Therefore, it is illogical that the government attempts to help individuals who show little concern in their health. Moreover, the article is opposed to the low quality of healthcare offered as a result of universal healthcare.
While the opposition shows true concerns, the real issue is that the advantages of universal healthcare serve the society better. The problem associated with the system ought to be solved and not used as an excuse to do away with the system. Universal healthcare is beneficial as it allows access of medical healthcare to a bigger scope of citizens than those able to afford it. Therefore, it serves to increase the general health of the society. This improves factors such as life expectancy and reduces mortality. In addition, universal coverage enhances the productivity of a working nation hence placing the country at a competitive advantage in a nation. It is universal healthcare that portrays the good of a society and serves to foster patriotism and community involvement.
There are ways to improve the current state of the universal healthcare services provided to the society. The government ought to adopt methods of providing the service without exploiting the taxpayer. This is achievable by using alternative funding such as using social health insurance. Moreover, the healthcare should be accessible to all citizens and of a quality that makes the course worth it. It should be portable allowing individuals access it regardless of their residence or job (Javors, 1). There is also a need to make universal healthcare comprehensive. This means it covers effectively several ailments at the best costs possible. Universal healthcare ought to be viewed as a communal act and not an individual responsibility. A healthy nations strengthens the social, political and economic systems of a society leading to a better economy and a more stable society. Therefore, individuals ought to play their role in supporting the government to make the original ideas of universal healthcare a reality in today’s society.
Works Cited
Szasz, Tim., “Universal Health Care Isn’t Worth Our Freedom,” The Wall Street Journal, 15
July, 2009 Retrieved from <http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB124761945269242551> 20 Nov 2013
Javors, Jeff., “A Call for Universal Health Care”, Chicago Tribune News, 21 October, 2000
<http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2000-10-21/news/0010210258_1_universal-health-care-health-care-system-health-care-coverage> 20 Nov 2013
