Universal Health Care

Universal Health care is a type of government createdcare is not without its opponents. Those who oppose
system in which every citizen of a country is givenUniveral Health care often raise questions as to who
access to various forms of medical care, even if theywould pay the most in taxes for such a system.
don't have the resources to pay out of pocket. WhileThese people argue that depending on the rate of
the citizens may be able to pay for some services outtaxes to be charged, many of the same people who
of pocket, much of the money for Universal Healthcurrently can't afford medical insurance would be hard
care will come through taxation or insurance. One ofpressed to pay taxes for a Universal Healthcare
the first countries to institute this form of medical caresystem. If the taxes are too high, they argue, then the
successfully was Germany under Otto Von Bismarck.rich would suffer the largest tax burden, but this is the
However, the very first Universal Healthcare programvery same group that is the least likely to need
was created in Great Britain.Universal Health care in the first place, since they can
Some of the other countries which offer Universalafford to pay for private health care.
Health care include Australia, France, and Italy. VirtuallyMany high income American citizens are opposed to
every industrialized nation currently offers some typeUniversal Healthcare because they feel they will be
of Universal Health care except for the United States.forced to pay for something they personally don't
While the definition of Universal Health care largelyneed. In addition to paying for their private medical
remains the same, the actual structure of this systeminsurance, they would then have to pay taxes for
will vary from one country to another. The systemUniversal Health care, a service they would not likely
also varies in terms of how much the government isuse. Opponents of Universal Health care also argue
involved. For example, while some nations allow privatethat there are Constitutional issues that come into play.
doctors to offer their services, other countries do not.They argue that the 10th Amendment of the U.S.
In the United Kingdon, doctors can choose to offerConstitution makes it clear that any powers not
services which are outside the government system,granted to the American government in the
but Canada has more restrictions on their medicalConstitution must be decided by the states.
services.Opponents therefore argue that the 10th Amendment
It is important for readers to realize that Universaldemonstrates that only the U.S. states have the
Health care is a very wide concept. There are apower to decide on the issue of Universal Health care,
number of ways in which such a system can benot the Federal government. However, proponents of
utilized. However, the most basic factor inUniversal Health care counter this by saying that the
implementation involves the process of allowing all thesystem has worked successfully in other industrialized
citizens within a nation to be given access to healthnations, and if it works there, it can work in the United
care for an affordable rate. Because implementingStates as well. One thing that is certain is that there
such a system requires a large amount of money,are strong arguments on both sides of the fence, and
many governments tax their citizens in order to fund it.only time will tell which side is correct. It should also be
The government also decides how the care must benoted that about 15% of U.S. GDP goes toward health
administered, and who is allowed to receive certaincare payments, and this is the highest of any country
types of care. While many countries use taxation toon the planet.
fund this health care system, the patient may still beIt should also be noted that over 80% of the U.S.
required to pay a relatively small fee as well.population already has some form of medical care,
Because the Universal Health care system haswhether through their job, the government, or a private
worked so well in many countries, some citizens andcompany. This has led some opponents of Universal
politicians in the United States have proposed theHealth care to claim that such a system isn't needed,
introduction of such a system in their own country.since only a small percentage of the U.S. population
American proponents of Universal Health care aredoesn't have health insurance. However, proponents
quick to point at the rising cost of commercialargue that while 80% of Americans may have some
insurance as evidence that Universal Healthcare wouldform of coverage, the 20% who don't is too much.
work. Indeed, the cost of health insurance in the UnitedWhen you consider the fact that 20% of the U.S.
States has become so high that millions of Americanspopulation would be around 60 million people who don't
go without health insurance each year, and should theyhave coverage, it becomes hard to argue with this
become sick or injured, the cost of medical care couldpoint.
cause them to go into bankruptcy.It should also be noted that the cost of health care in
Proponents of Universal Health care argue that thethe U.S. is one of the fastest growing phenomenons in
utilization of their system would make it morerecent history. In fact, the rising cost of healthcare is
affordable for all Americans to afford healthcare, andeven rising faster than the general rate of inflation.
millions would not need to go without medical insurance.From 2001 through 2007, the rate for family health
While the United States does not currently have ainsurance premiums rose by more than 70%, which is
Universal Health care system, the government doesunprecedented. Aside from a government based
provide health care for certain segments of theprogram for Universal Health care, many cities and
population, such as veterans, the disabled, seniorstates in the U.S. are already in the process of
citizens, or those currently serving in the military.implementing their own Universal Health care plans.
However, it is important to note that Universal Health