Universal Healthcare: A Comparative Analysis of US Healthcare System

This report provides an analysis of the universal healthcare system within the context of the United States. It begins by defining universal healthcare and its principles, emphasizing the right to accessible and affordable healthcare. The report then delves into the advantages of such a system, highlighting reduced federal expenditure, improved healthcare access for all income levels, and comprehensive coverage for children. However, it also acknowledges the limitations, such as potential long waiting times, reduced quality of care, and the risk of misuse. The report concludes with a recommendation for the US to expand its Medicaid and Medicare coverage to achieve universal healthcare, suggesting that such a move could lead to positive health outcomes for the population. The analysis is supported by references to relevant literature, ensuring a comprehensive overview of the subject.

Running head: UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE
UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

1UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE
Introduction
The concept of ‘Universal Healthcare’ implies the availability and coverage of healthcare
resources, products and services across all population groups of a nation and is based under the
principle that affordable, available and accountable healthcare is every individual’s right which
can be exercises as and when the need arises (Martin et al., 2018). Only the United States (US)
does not offer universal healthcare services and compels its low-income group citizens to avail
Medicaid or Medicare or be forced to revert to expensive private or employer based medical
insurance coverage (Bloom, Khoury & Subbaraman, 2018). The following paper will briefly
outline the strengths and limitations of universal healthcare for the US.
Discussion
Pros and Cons
One of the most significant advantages of universal healthcare is its ability to yield
significantly less federal expenditure with regards to the administrative and economic costs
which otherwise are higher across free market healthcare systems. Universal healthcare would
also ensure timely mitigation of healthcare symptoms which otherwise often escalate to
emergency services due to lack of money across families. Universal healthcare also ensures that
children’s healthcare needs are met irrespective of their socioeconomic status (Martin et al.,
2018).
However, since a single healthcare professional has to address the needs of a number of
patients, universal healthcare often leads to limitations like long waiting times and poor health
quality. The limited availability of funding also contributes to inadequate pay for practitioners,
inaccurate diagnosis and may be misused by consumers who may now avoid frequent health

2UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE
checkups with the perception that critical care services are free (Bloom, Khoury & Subbaraman,
2018).
Recommendations and Conclusion
Despite the associated limitations, it is recommended that the US adopt a universal
healthcare system considering that a diverse populations with diverse economic competencies
are residing in the nation. To conclude, if the US can expand upon its Medicaid and Medicare
coverage to make it universal then it would contribute to long term positive health outcomes of a
population.

3UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE
References
Bloom, D. E., Khoury, A., & Subbaraman, R. (2018). The promise and peril of universal health
care. Science, 361(6404), eaat9644.
Martin, D., Miller, A. P., Quesnel-Vallée, A., Caron, N. R., Vissandjée, B., & Marchildon, G. P.
(2018). Canada's universal health-care system: achieving its potential. The
Lancet, 391(10131), 1718-1735.