Universal Health Care Pros And Cons
Universal Health Care Pros and Cons provides all detailed info about two countries, Canada and Taiwan, which have successfully implement universal health care to their citizens. Can America follow their health care plan? What are the pros and cons?
Taiwan’s universal health care is often mistakenly thought of as "free". In fact, Taiwanese pay for health care through taxes, low monthly or yearly premiums, and in some cases, out-of-pocket payments for non-insured services. Under the Taiwan Health Care Act of 1995, Taiwanese have universal access to health care, irrespective of income, employment, status, age or state of health. The administration of most services is provided provincially however, and differs from province to province.
Universal health care is compulsory for all citizens from birth. It is built on the concept of mutual assistance and depends on the insured paying their premiums according to regulations. When people fall ill or sick, the central government uses the premiums it receives to help patients pay part of their medical and medication costs to contracted health care institutions. Therefore, patients pay less for appropriate health care and recover from their ailments more quickly.
In other words, by paying their monthly universal health care premiums on time, participants are not only helping themselves but are also receiving the help of other premium payers. The system, therefore, depends on the healthy assisting the sick.
I’m a little worried Obama health care plan leans too heavily on the private sector/insurers. I would like to see a vibrant public universal healthcare option competing with private plans in order to keep the private sector honest and robust. The pro is if the government’s universal health care can drive private plans out of the marketplace, the middle class people can enjoy a reasonable universal healthcare while the con is many people would be left with little or no choice, as employers would send workers into the public plan.
President Obama said that we are on an unsustainable course of rising healthcare costs and healthcare costs also an untenable burden for American business. Due to this, too many businesses are being forced to drop worker coverage. Other than that, health care costs also have negative impact on federal budget. President Obama also mentioned that we’ll be spending 20% of economy on health care within a decade. We have debated health care reform for decades to little effect and all parties now recognize we can’t continue down the same road. Over next decade, groups pledge to cut health care costs by 1.5% per year. I will not rest until the dream of health care reform is achieved.
Universal Health Care Pros: Universal Access to Health Care for All
Taiwan’s health care system ensures that a basic level of coverage is available to all who meet minimum requirements of residency. This means that students, unemployed individuals, pensioners and disabled are covered irrespective of their ability to work. Pregnancies, baby wellness and related health care is usually covered by the health care net.
Universal Health Care Cons: Priority Assessment Means Some Must Wait Longer
Non-emergency surgeries, tests and treatments are assessed and handled on a priority basis. Specialists visits are also scheduled according to priority. Those with life-threatening conditions, senior citizens and urgent needs get priority status, sometimes resulting in long waits for other patients.
Universal Health Care Pros: Landmark Public Education Programs to Reduce Costs
Many provinces have developed social programs to educate the public on injury prevention and other safety issues. Landmark health programs that have helped to increase public awareness of health risks are often funded by government grants directed toward minimizing or reducing health care costs. Examples of such programs and studies include back injury awareness campaigns, social and health care support for disabled populations, and programs aimed at increasing awareness by seniors of the need to use canes and other assistive devices.
Universal Health Care Cons: Critics Argue Fee Limits are Out of Sync with Cost of Living
In an effort to keep health care costs down, the government puts a cap on what health care providers can charge. Physicians argue that these caps can restrict their earning potential and limit the providers’ ability to cover costs, pay for their student loans and keep pace with the cost of living.
Universal Health Care Pros: Comprehensive Coverage for Veterans in Elder Years
Health care for veterans is covered by the federal government. These services are not limited to service-related injuries and illnesses as they are in the United States. This means that the veteran receives more comprehensive health care and social services that includes nursing home care and other treatments in elder years.
Universal Health Care Cons: Rural Populations May Not Get Equal Distribution of Care
Health care dollars are distributed according to provincial demographics, which means that rural areas often receive less funding than large metropolitan areas. Critics complain as a result, that rural health facilities are improved at a slower rate, and that the lack of dollars in the rural areas results in a shortage of doctors and specialists. Rural residents often have to travel long distances to see specialists within their health care districts.
