Introduction
Universal health coverage is currently becoming a national and global priority. This initiative aims to include all populations worldwide in promoting health equity. It has been implemented in many countries, such as Canada and the United Kingdom. However, this initiative has yet to be established in the united states, but it is currently an ongoing discussion. The biggest challenge facing the deployment of this initiative is the source of adequate financial resources to enable the provision of affordable healthcare services equitably. The options for a funding system to be considered are; a taxation system, social insurance, and direct payments. The method to be chosen should effectively cater to the health needs of United States citizens equitably regardless of their financial shortcomings that hinder their access to health care. Therefore, an approach that can achieve this goal and be easily sustainable is under study. Hence universal health coverage policy should allow the provision of affordable and equally accessible health services to all citizens of the united states.
Should the United States have universal health coverage?
Yes, the United States should have universal health coverage (UHC) as it is vital to providing equitable health care services. UHC will universally provide health services to Americans from low-income or high-income status. Accomplishing this will widen access to healthcare in the united states, which has been limited to low-income earners (Armocida et al., 2020). Service providers will now provide primary care services to these low-income persons without the financial limits that previously restricted them.
Furthermore, UHC bridges the health disparities in healthcare provision (Armocida et al., 2020). UHC requires healthcare givers to provide health services equally. This requirement discourages the possibility of implicit bias when providing services to patients from minority groups such as black persons (Chapman et al., 2013). Quality of services, in this context, is equal despite cultural or societal differences. Therefore, through UHC united states will achieve health services equality among all Americans.
Consequently, eradicating financial barriers to service delivery through UHC prevents the prevalence of chronic diseases through early diagnosis (Armocida et al., 2020). UHC requires service delivery to be available for all. Persons who would have been limited to this particular service due to their financial capabilities will now acquire quality service provision. This provision includes thorough diagnosis and administration of proper treatment, services that detect the onset of chronic diseases, and provides early intervention. As a result of these services, mortality rates associated with these chronic conditions are lowered.
If the United States should have universal health coverage, how should we pay for it?
The universal health coverage policy should be government-sponsored. Financing in this approach is acquired through taxes imposed on every citizen during goods and services consumption (Dieleman et al., 2018). A portion of the tax is allocated to the health sector to finance necessary healthcare services for all citizens. As a result of government intervention, health caregiving is accessible to all. Thus, persons with financial difficulties have equal access to healthcare, just like financially-capable persons. As a result, government-sponsored UHC allows all its citizens’ access to health services.
Moreover, in tax-based financing, the government solely controls service delivery. This strategy eliminates issues brought by multiple players, like difficulties in getting reimbursed when finances are sourced from different parties (Dieleman et al., 2018). It also eradicates the possibility of economic exploitation of healthcare facilities by involved stakeholders. In this approach, the government constructs and implements policies governing service delivery. Such a centralized system facilitates smooth and adequate service provision.
Also, government-funded UHC will promote equity of service. Equity of services will be promoted because every citizen of the United States has contributed to financing care service provision. The collective contribution will eliminate the ground for discrimination based on race or economic capabilities (Chapman et al., 2013). Service providers in this approach will work to provide the necessary care that each person requires. As a result, the health status of the country will increase considerably.
If UHC should be government-financed, should only those who have paid the taxes be able to access healthcare, or should everyone be able to access healthcare regardless if they have paid the taxes or not?
Everyone has a right to health despite their participation in tax payments. The point of having a government-sponsored universal system is to promote equity in healthcare service delivery (Watkins et al., 2018). This university eliminates consideration of contribution level as the government is the sole funder and controller of service provision. Therefore, every citizen of the United States is entitled to quality healthcare services that can be availed through UHC.
Additionally, the risk of evasion of taxes is low. Most citizens consume public products supplied by different manufacturers but regulated by the government. This regulation means that the government imposes taxes on every aspect of citizens’ lives, from the consumption of basic needs to luxuries (Soucat, 2019). Every American depends on the availability of these products; thus, exclusively avoiding taxes is complicated. Regarding this concept, UHC’s service provision coverage should not be discriminatory.
If everyone should have access regardless of whether they paid the taxes, how would you justify the “free-rider” problem?
The free-rider problem is a rare occurrence motivated chiefly by poverty. Addressing the issue of poverty also addresses the free-rider problem (Yong & Choy, 2021). Government can assist a poverty-stricken citizens in overcoming their difficulties by creating job opportunities through investments. Once these citizens have a source of income, the need for free rides will be eliminated. Therefore, promoting the economic status of citizens encourages participation in tax payments.
The free-riding problem can also be solved through public education on the significance of cooperation with the government (Yong & Choy, 2021). During this training, citizens can be informed about the contribution of their taxes to enabling the government to provide healthcare services freely. Moreso, citizens can be made aware of the consequences of not paying taxes, like an increase in healthcare services costs. Knowledge about these consequences motivates citizens to do their part in sustaining UHC (Yong & Choy, 2021). Moreso, this education highlights citizens’ contributions and promotes a sense of pride and self-fulfillment, encouraging more participation (Yong & Choy, 2021). Thus creating awareness that UHC requires collective efforts of both government and citizens promotes citizens’ willingness to be engaged, thus reducing the free-riding problem.
Lastly, discouraging the rise of conspiracy theories that encourage free-riding behavior would minimize the prevalence of this behavior (Yong & Choy, 2021). Conspiracy theories spin ideas that encourage resistance to government policies. The conspirators consider free riders heroes and can offer support for their survival. The continuing spread of these theories increases the influence of these critics in undermining the government. Thus, taking action against them would discourage free riding.
Conclusion
Health equity across all citizens is the desire of every state government. This goal is, however, constantly undermined by the financial challenges of the citizens that contribute to health disparities. This issue can be addressed by implementing a universal health coverage policy to increase access to healthcare services for all populations. Actuating this policy requires reliable financing to be sustained and can be provided through a government-sponsored system.
References
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Yong, J. C., & Choy, B. K. (2021). Noncompliance with safety guidelines as a free-riding strategy: An evolutionary game-theoretic approach to cooperation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.646892
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