How is Healthcare Reform impacting Citizens

“Health is a human necessity; health is a human right”
― James Lenhart, Conversations for Paco

“It is hard to talk about a middle ground for something that is a fundamental right.”
― Teri Reynolds, The Obama Syndrome: Surrender at Home, War Abroad

After a century of striving, after a year of debate, after a historic vote, health care reform is no longer an unmet promise. It is the law of the land.
Barack Obama

Furthermore, we believe that health care reform, again I said at the beginning of my remarks, that we sent the three pillars that the President's economic stabilization and job creation initiatives were education and innovation - innovation begins in the classroom - clean energy and climate, addressing the climate issues in an innovative way to keep us number one and competitive in the world with the new technology, and the third, first among equals I may say, is health care, health insurance reform.
Nancy Pelosi

What is Health care?

Health care is one of our fundamental rights and, unfortunately; there are citizens around the globe who do not get access to this and die on the streets or their homes cause they could not afford to pay the doctor for his visit or the medicines prescribed.

Each country deserves to extend care to their citizens either through public sector insurance programs or make it private. Alas, many individuals cannot avail health insurance.

The reason is that many are uninsured either due to lack of jobs or not enough funds. Thus do not get the privilege to use it for disease care or preventive medicine.

Universal Health Care

Currently there are about 50 countries that have accomplished universal health care coverage.

Many countries have implemented universal health care through legislation, regulation and taxation. The law of the government directs what care must be provided and on what basis. This is a combination of a little cost paid by the patient and the bulk coming from tax revenues. Such programs vary from country to a country where the income levied by government on properties or income is used to either fund the insurance for the very poor or those needing chronic care. Many countries use mixed private-public sector to manage universal health care.

The Saga of Health Insurance in United States of America

United States even though a developed country does not have a universal health care as a result; many are without insurance and cannot avail of the preventative medicine. Thus, when this individual gets sick, he goes to the emergency room (ER) to get treated. The taxpayers pay for his visit.

Health insurance is being handled by the private sector, and that can be a prudent decision until their premiums do not empty out a consumer’s wallet just to see a specialist or even go to a doctor next door.

Unfortunately, private companies see to their personal progress and want to position themselves in the stock exchange thus, will eventually hike as they command huge shares of the market thus driving out small companies that fail to gain enough customers.

Obama Care

Obama introduced the Affordable Care Act, which launched the competition between insurance companies to drive down health care costs and give consumers more choices. This is offering more benefit choices to consumers to choose between various insurance companies.

As a result the uninsured will have options as they can shop around for an affordable health care.

Insurance coverage will augment for consumers with pre-existing medical conditions. Government subsidy will be offered to those with low income as a result no one will be turned down.

I feel Obama care is an indirect implementation of universal health care and eventually everyone will have coverage for preventative needs or during sickness.

However, the results are mixed so far.

Some questions to ponder upon

What if the government made healthcare a priority, and a right for each living being?

Thus, offering free health insurance coverage to many children or those who are unemployed or aged or retired. There are several countries that offer such a kind. Brazil offers private and public health care with about 80% of its population relying on public care while 20% opt for private health care. Britain has the National Health Service, which are also a private and a public sector. Canada is also another example.

There will always be some discrepancies with numbers when a country is dealing with a large population.

According to Bloomberg market the top most efficient health care systems cost wise in the world are Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan since they have heavy government participation and it does not affect the bustling economy.

Japan has a mere 8.5% Gross Domestic Product (GDP) followed by a 4.4% GDP of Singapore and a GDP of 3.8% the lowest for Hong Kong.

I am open to any kind of health care system as long as all citizens of that country can benefit out of it.

Usually a patient is directed to a network of doctors since his insurance covers only those physicians. Also to see a specialist either takes months or he needs a referral.

Conclusion

A man should have the right to shop for his doctor. It is his life, and his responsibility to make a choice which physician to approach. Let’s make health not only a right for every individual but also a privilege and an obligation for the government of all the countries of this world.