Healthcare Policy in the US: Pros, Cons, and Stakeholders

This essay delves into the intricacies of US healthcare policy, contrasting it with universal healthcare models adopted by other nations. It explores the reasons behind the US's distinct approach, examining the absence of a fundamental right to healthcare and its implications. The essay meticulously outlines the pros and cons of this approach, considering its economic and social impacts. It then analyzes how different approaches affect various stakeholders, including citizens, the government, and healthcare providers. Finally, the essay identifies and discusses the most undervalued impacts of the US's healthcare strategy, particularly concerning access and affordability for low-income earners. The essay utilizes evidence-based sources and reflections to provide a comprehensive analysis of the issue.

Running Head: UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE
HEALTH CARE POLICY AND LAW
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Why has the government of United States taken a different approach on the provision
of universal health care?
Universal health care has been a subject of discussion in many countries as the one
step which can give good health care. Some countries have managed to implement their
decision on provision of universal health care. The health care debate has raised many
concerns including discussions surrounding whether there should be a policy incorporating it
in the country’s laws. Some people have been concerned with the constitutionality of the
rights of the people in relation to universal health coverage. However, the United States
Constitution does not completely elaborate on the right to health care. The Supreme Court of
the United States itself has never come clear on the interpretation of the law on human rights
to enable people to understand the composition of a right to health in America (Burns,
Dooley & Armstrong, 2014). However, the law only allows the provision of health care
coverage which is limited to certain areas such as the police.
However, Congress has enacted several laws that allow the government to pay for health
services and insurance for the American people. They include programs like the Affordable
Care Act which was enacted in 2010, Medicaid Program, among others (Cataife &
Courtemanche, 2011). Despite all these attempts to move closer to universal health care,
certain limitations still exist because not everybody is covered. In fact, certain diseases and
health complications are not covered in these programs. The United States has been reluctant
to allow for the universal coverage of health care due to the high costs of sustainability.
Despite the fact that other countries have implemented the program, it seems to be
extraordinarily expensive for some governments.

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What are the pros and cons of no fundamental right to health care in US?
Cons of fundamental health care in the United States
(i) Lack of fundamental health care reduces government expenditure which is
certainly the biggest discussion against universal health insurance. The fact is that
implementing this program will require the government to increase tax base and
this certainly will have an economic impact on the country as well as on the
citizens.
(ii) Implementing a universal health care program takes time. The project requires
adequate time for making laws and putting all the structures in order before it
becomes a success.
Pros of fundamental health care in the United States
i) Universal health care will enable free access to health care for many Americans.
In countries where this program has worked, man people have benefited from the
program without spending so much money. Universal health care programs are
always meant to cover people who may not afford health costs (Tsimtsiou, 2017).
This is because certain illnesses may need complex medication interventions
which are certainly costly.
ii) Improvement of public health. With universal health coverage, the country would
be able to improve the health of her citizens. This is because the citizens are
having common health insurance paid by their own taxes.
iii) Minimizes medical bankruptcies: When universal health care is implemented,
citizens who spend a lot of money on health care services leaving them bankrupt

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will be relieved. Certain diseases are expensive to treat and may consume all your
money.
Explain how different approaches to this matter impact stakeholders
Universal health care is important especially to the citizens; however, it may have a negative
effect on the economy of the country because it will raise the government expenditure on
health care. Consequently, by raising the expenditure, citizens will also have to dig deep into
their pockets to pay for the taxes (Santos, 2015).
In your opinion, which impact is the most undervalued by the approach taken by the
United States?
However, a lot of benefits would be realized by the citizens who will have access to wide and
affordable health care. This option, however, has been undervalued by the United States
government assuming that there is no right to health care. Having looked at the importance of
universal health care to citizens mostly on the low-income earners, the US government
should adopt the right to health strategy and ensure her citizens for health services.

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References
Burns, R., Dooley, B., & Armstrong, J. (2014). Towards Universal Health Care-
A Review of the Basic Basket of Care Associated With Universal Health Care
Delivery Models. Value In Health, 17(7), A417-A418. doi:
10.1016/j.jval.2014.08.1015
Cataife, G., & Courtemanche, C. (2011). Is Universal Health Care in Brazil
Really Universal?. SSRN Electronic Journal. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.1690662
Santos, L. (2015). Universal Health Care Systems: Universal Access or Universal
Coverage?. Journal Of Business & Financial Affairs, 04(03). doi: 10.4172/2167-
0234.1000158
Tsimtsiou, Z. (2017). Primary health care and universal health coverage:
Achieving health for all. Health And Primary Care, 1(1). doi: 10.15761/hpc.1000102

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