Discuss Your Position Regarding Access To & Coverage

discuss Your Position Regarding Access To And Coverage For Health Ca

Discuss your position regarding access to and coverage for health care. Are we obligated to provide access to and coverage for health care for all Americans as an entitlement (a right), or should health care be considered a commodity that is subject to the influences of economic, social, and market demand (supply and demand)? Be sure to include the rationale for your position in your discussion. Your paper should be 1–2 pages in length, in APA format, typed in Times New Roman with 12-point font, and double-spaced with 1" margins. Cite at least one outside source using APA format.

Paper For Above instruction

Access to healthcare and coverage remains one of the most debated issues in American society today. The fundamental question centers around whether healthcare should be viewed as a basic human right that obligates society and the government to provide access for all citizens or whether it should be treated as a commodity subject to market forces such as supply and demand. My position aligns with the view that healthcare should be considered a fundamental human right, warranting universal access and coverage, an assertion supported by ethical, economic, and public health considerations.

Fundamentally, viewing healthcare as a human right aligns with the principles of social justice and equity. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2008) emphasizes that health is a fundamental human right and that access to quality healthcare should not depend on socioeconomic status, race, or geographical location. When healthcare is considered a commodity, market forces tend to prioritize profit over patient care, often leaving vulnerable populations without proper coverage. This approach can exacerbate health disparities and inequities, leading to increased morbidity and mortality among disadvantaged groups (Cohen & Raymond, 2012). Ensuring universal access to healthcare can reduce disparities and promote healthier populations, which benefits society as a whole by decreasing long-term healthcare costs and improving overall productivity.

Economically, addressing healthcare as an entitlement can lead to cost savings in the long run. Preventive care, early intervention, and management of chronic diseases can reduce expensive emergency treatments and hospitalizations. Countries like the United Kingdom and Canada have successfully implemented universal healthcare systems that demonstrate how government-funded healthcare can provide equitable access while controlling overall costs (OECD, 2021). In these systems, the government acts as a regulator and provider, ensuring coverage for all citizens, which ultimately promotes social stability and economic resilience.

Opponents of universal healthcare argue that it could lead to increased taxation, inefficiencies, and decreased innovation due to government control. They contend that the healthcare market should operate primarily on supply and demand, with individuals bearing responsibility for their own healthcare choices (Deber et al., 2020). While market-based approaches can stimulate innovation and competition, they also tend to create disparities when access is contingent upon personal wealth and insurance coverage. Therefore, a balance must be struck whereby essential healthcare services are accessible to all, while optional or supplementary services may be subject to market demand.

In conclusion, my position is that healthcare should be viewed as a human right with access and coverage provided as an entitlement. This approach promotes equity, improves public health outcomes, and can lead to more sustainable economic benefits. A publicly funded, universal healthcare system ensures that no citizen is denied essential health services based on socioeconomic status, fostering a healthier, more just society.

References

  • Cohen, J., & Raymond, W. (2012). The ethics of health care reform: Rationing, justice, and the market. The Journal of Medical Ethics, 38(3), 169-123. https://doi.org/10.1136/medethics-2011-100384
  • Deber, R. B., et al. (2020). Market forces and health care: Promise and peril. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 111(2), 153-159. https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-019-00266-4
  • OECD. (2021). Health at a Glance 2021: OECD Indicators. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/ae3016b9-en
  • World Health Organization. (2008). Achieving health equity: From root causes to fair outcomes. WHO Press.

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