There has always been a lot of debate over the U.S. healthcare system, and with the recent passing of the American Health Care Act (ACHA) in the House of Representatives, there has been a lot of concern over new regulations and proposals.
The law was introduced to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which was a way for millions of Americans to have access to health insurance. The recent news in healthcare has reinforced a long standing issue, which is access to healthcare.
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Access to healthcare is a significant issue in the United States. While most people are able to obtain insurance through their employer, others are left to pay out-of-pocket or find expensive alternatives. The United States has the most expensive healthcare in the world, yet the quality of care does not stack up to other nations. (Medical)
There are a few potential (yet, debatable) solutions to this growing problem. The first idea would be to offer truly universal healthcare. This would allow all Americans to have access to healthcare, but comes with its issues. Obviously, this has the potential to significantly increase taxes. For example, it was estimated that Bernie Sanders’ proposed health care plan would raise taxes by 9%. (Luhby) Another competing option would be to require all employers to offer health insurance. This would not help the unemployed, but would also not be a burden on taxpayers.
The preferable method would be to require all employers to offer health insurance. It is debatable whether universal health care would work, because if it were a fact, the United States would probably have already enacted it. The attempt of the ACA, and well as the new health care bill both fall short of what is actually needed. (Collins)
It is the role of the federal government to initiate healthcare reform. However, state and local government pay a big role in healthcare, too. For example, states are responsible for working with local insurance, public health, and maintaining hospitals. (Local)
- Collins, David BlumenthalSara. “Where Both the ACA and AHCA Fall Short, and What the Health Insurance Market Really Needs.” Harvard Business Review. N.p., 21 Mar. 2017. Web. 14 June 2017.
- Local Government Responsibilities in Health Care. Washington, DC: Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, 1994. U.S. Advisory Commission, July 1994. Web. 14 June 2017.
- Luhby, Tami. “Bernie Sanders Would Likely Raise Taxes to Pay for Universal Health Care.” CNNMoney. Cable News Network, 16 Jan. 2016. Web. 14 June 2017.
- “Medical Waste: Why American Health Care Is So Expensive.” Knowledge@Wharton. N.p., 18 Aug. 2016. Web. 14 June 2017.
