Universal healthcare coverage

Universal healthcare coverage

Universal healthcare coverage

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Over the years, major reforms have taken place in the field of healthcare. One controversial issue that has led to divergent opinions is the ideology of universal healthcare coverage. Advocates argue that providing free health care will have a positive impact on the health of the public while opponents of the ideology believe that universal healthcare will lead to decreased level of healthcare provision (Rogers, 2012). This paper presents an argument that supports the statement that universal healthcare should be available to everyone regardless of their ability to pay in the same way that other services such as education are available to all for free.

Universal healthcare coverage should be provided to all patients because it results in:

i) Improved healthcare to all people

Universal healthcare provides accessible health services to the population in different regions in the world. When patients are provided with free healthcare, a large number of patients who are unable to acquire expensive specialized care but are suffering from different conditions are likely to seek the medical services. According to HealthPac (2016), universal health coverage has changed the lifestyle of many people who live in areas with high poverty levels since they can also access better healthcare regardless of their financial status. Patients who suffer from diverse ailments that require specialised treatment such as cancer and brain tumour, therefore, can easily access high-quality health care.

ii) Preventative care among the population

Many people, in areas with high poverty levels and economic disparity, are less likely to seek preventative healthcare due to the high costs of the healthcare services. The adoption of universal health coverage will, therefore, ensure that individuals seek preventative care to avert the occurrence of fatal diseases such as tuberculosis, hypertension, and cancer.

iii) Equality and fairness

Universal health coverage also promotes the spirit of equality and fairness. This is because all people irrespective of their income, race or gender, can easily get healthcare services in any part of the world. Universal healthcare will remove the inequality barrier that divides the wealthy or the powerful in the society with the poor.

iv) Decrease in administrative healthcare costs

Universal healthcare coverage will have a positive impact on the healthcare organizations. This is because it will lead to a reduction of administrative cost that has been brought about by the fact that all activities such as billing and insurance pay-outs are undertaken by a single organization. All rules about different activities such as billing is similar to every patient hence the organization does not spend a lot of funds for these services.

v) Economic growth and better living standards

Universal healthcare results in free health services hence the population will not have not spend a lot of money in paying for health care services (Behzad, 2009). The funds that could have been used in seeking health services can, therefore, be put in income generating activities thus resulting in economic growth and improved standards of living.

In summary, the provision of free healthcare services to the public has a significant impact on their daily healthcare. Universal healthcare should, therefore, be adopted since it results in improved healthcare provision as well as better standards of living.

References

Behzad, M., (2009). Universal Healthcare in the United States of America

New York: Blackwell Press

HealthPac, (2016). Structure and Funding of Universal Healthcare

Retrieved from:

Rogers, K., (2012). Universal Healthcare: An Introduction

New York: McGraw Hill Press