Healthcare Should Be A Right 1

Jersey Orias

PHPM 310

Out of all the developed countries, the United States’ expenditures on healthcare are the

highest. Yet, about 16% of the population do not have insurance.1 Not to mention that there is a

shortage of services: for every 1,000 people, there is only 2.6 physicians and 7.9 nurses.2

Differences in race, gender, and sexual orientation demonstrate health inequalities, too. Based on

these facts alone, it is evident that the US healthcare system is not as inclusive and efficient as it

should be. This is due to Americans’ deeply-held unique values. Hence, healthcare should be a

right and the government’s role is to provide national healthcare coverage and improve or create

health programs.

Distributive justice is one of Americans’ strongly-held values.3 By this principle, the

government has the responsibility to make healthcare accessible for all citizens. Thus, a national

healthcare coverage should be implemented, where the government can allocate a percentage of

the taxes to fund this program. Because Americans believe in individualism, some may argue

that this seems unfair. This is because people--especially those who pay less taxes--might take

advantage of these services and spending will increase, decreasing the effectiveness of a national

healthcare coverage. However, the government can specify that healthcare coverage is only for

necessary medical bills and they can regionalize health services the same way Canada’s

healthcare system works.1 The Medicare for All Act, first proposed by Bernie Sanders, will give

comprehensive health coverage without premiums and copayments by reallocating current

resources like using 7.5% payroll tax to fund the program.4

Having coverage for all can be affected by other factors, inhibiting some people from

getting the best healthcare. About 39% of gay men and 20% of bisexual men said they were
Healthcare Should Be A Right 2

physically abused and have been victims of property crime.5 This is due to the fact that the

LGBT population experiences social stigmas that result in health disparities such as this.

Additionally, races like Native Americans have higher risks of acquiring chronic illnesses in

comparison to other races, because they usually are in lower socioeconomic classes.5 Because of

this, the government should offer group-specific health services to make healthcare more

accessible. For instance, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which was passed in 2010, expanded

healthcare coverage. Before the ACA, people who had health issues were subject to higher

insurance rates or were denied coverage.6 With this health reform, people are protected from

being denied or charged higher by insurance companies because of health status.6

Since Americans distrust the government, some may argue that creating more

government-funded programs negatively affects the market economy, because of loss of revenue.

However, if healthcare is more available and affordable, people have the means to spend on

products, stimulating the economy. Furthermore, healthcare programs can help create more jobs,

which also benefits the economy. In fact, the ACA slowed down growth of healthcare costs,

meaning costs of health premiums offered by employers lowered.7 As a result, lowering health

insurance costs lower hiring costs, making it more feasible for employers to open new jobs.7

When more jobs are available, more people can work, which betters the economy.

Despite the United States dispersing a large sum on healthcare, there is still a deficit.

Therefore, healthcare should be a right, where the government fulfills healthcare coverage for all

and creates programs that target different groups, especially minorities. If you believe the same

way, start by getting to know your legislators, voicing your beliefs through voting, and

continuously educating yourself about politics. Each act is a step towards positive healthcare

impact.
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Word count: 600

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References

1. Ridic G, Gleason S, Ridic O. Comparisons of health care systems in the United States,

Germany and Canada. Mater Sociomed. 2012; 24(2): 112–120.

2. Aspril J, Health J. U.S. Health Care Spending Highest Among Developed Countries.

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. https://www.jhsph.edu/news/news-

releases/2019/us-health-care-spending-highest-among-developed-countries.html. 2019.

September 23, 2019.

3. Lee P, Oliver T, Benjamin AE, and Lee D. Politics, Health Policy, and the American

Character. Stanford Law Pol Rev. 2006; 17(7): 7-32.

4. The Medicare for All Act 2019. Bernie Sanders U.S. Senator for Vermont.

https://www.sanders.senate.gov/download/medicare-for-all-2019-summary?

id=FA52728F-B57E-4E0D-96C2-F0C5D346A6E1&download=1&inline=file. 2019.

September 25, 2019.

5. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. In: Alina Baciu, Yamrot

Negussie, Amy Geller, and James N. Weinstein, ed. Communities in Action: Pathways to

Health Equity. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press; 2017: 2.

6. Garfield R, Orgera K, Damico A. The Uninsured and the ACA: A Primer - Key Facts

about Health Insurance and the Uninsured amidst Changes to the Affordable Care Act.

Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). https://www.kff.org/report-section/the-uninsured-and-

the-aca-a-primer-key-facts-about-health-insurance-and-the-uninsured-amidst-changes-to-

the-affordable-care-act-how-have-health-insurance-coverage-options-and-availability-

changed/. January 25, 2019. September 25, 2019.

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7. Furman J. Six Economic Benefits of the Affordable Care Act. The White House.

https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2014/02/06/six-economic-benefits-

affordable-care-act. February 6, 2014. September 25, 2019.