Week 8 Term Paper Final_ Healthcare
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Week 8 Term Paper Final: Healthcare for All
Anh Tran
West Coast University
PHIL 434: Medical Ethics and Issues
Melanie Lavelle
October 15th, 2023
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Introduction
In the ever-evolving world of healthcare, there's a powerful idea on the horizon that's
changing the way we think about medical care. Imagine a world where everyone, regardless of
their socio-economic status, can receive the healthcare they need. This revolutionary concept is
called Universal Health Care (UHC), and it's transforming the foundation of healthcare
intrinsically and extrinsically. UHC is not merely an abbreviation; it represents a transformative
vision that resonates with the very essence of a society's compassion and social responsibility. At
its core, UHC is the blanket term that every individual, regardless of their economic standing,
should have unrestricted access to the healthcare they need and want (World Health
Organization: WHO, 2023). It's a concept that transcends social constructs, echoing a profound
dogma: that healthcare is a universal right. In this term paper, I’ll explore the technical
intricacies, the wall that is known as public policies, and the compelling sides of both pros and
cons that revolve around UHC, with emphasis on why UHC should be implemented.
Technical aspects
Universal Health Care (UHC) is founded on the principle that everyone should have
access to healthcare, regardless of their socio-economic status. Under the system, any individual
can have access to necessary medical, physiological, and supportive care without relying on
private premiums or insurance. However, it's important to note that while UHC is a universal
concept, each nation implements it differently, tailoring the system to its unique perspective and
the needs of its citizens. Furthermore, the funding of the UHC doesn’t come from air, but from
the pockets of paying citizens such as taxes and social insurance contributions to ensure
healthcare for everyone (Myers, 2022). As righteous as it sounds, there are many ambiguous
thoughts on the idea, with some against and for the idea.
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Public policies
Supporters of Universal Health Care argue compellingly for its adoption but few know
about the complications and policies that revolve around it. Expanding the existing U.S.
healthcare system, as Germany has done, can extend access to healthcare services, tailored to
individual socioeconomic statuses (Zieff et al., 2020). However, there are many intrinsic factors
that revolve around UHC, and its possible adoption requires several changes in a funding,
political, and quality aspect. For example, funding mechanisms of UHC as discussed by Myers
(2022), that California's proposal for universal healthcare involves new taxes to support the
system. This implies that the taxes on California will be raised, on top of the already high tax and
the very high cost of living (VHCOL) that is California. The choice of funding mechanisms is a
key component of UHC policies and can vary from state to state, describing the amount of taxes
that will be increased and how much will each state contribute to the UHC plan that would
hypothetically blanket the citizens of the U.S. Another example is the quality assurance of UHC,
where despite being healthcare for all, may not be able to reach for all. To further delve into this,
The United Kingdoms, which were able to successfully deploy a version of their UHC in their
nation, struggles with the ever looming backlog of care in England. It is statistically reported that
care involves “a median waiting time for treatment of 14.5 weeks – almost double the
pre-COVID median wait of 8 weeks in August 2019” (NHS Backlog Data Analysis, n.d.).
Despite having healthcare, many often wait weeks upon weeks to receive care, and the delay
caused by this backlog can ensure more possible health complications and spell even death for
those that need urgent care. The policies that revolve around UHC need an ever-perfect interplay
of political, social, economic, and even cultural factors. Forming the U.S version of UHC needs
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not only the garnering support, but also the expertise navigation of the complex arrangements
such as funding, quality assurance, and other critical considerations.
Argumentative paragraph: against
Opponents of Universal Health Care (UHC) present valid concerns and reservations.
They argue that UHC could escalate financial burdens, lead to longer wait times for medical
services, and pose organizational and financial challenges, particularly in the diverse United
States, a nation encompassing various cultures and religions. This is apparent, since taxes among
each state may vary, with evidence from the article written by Myers (2022), that a smaller
version of UHC, called “CalCare”, involves a proposed tax increase on the already heavily taxed
state of California. Applying this nationwide, the substantial costs associated with implementing
UHC, potentially exceeding trillions of dollars, could burden the government and taxpayers
significantly. Furthermore, the fear of increased wait times for medical help, as seen in the
United Kingdom’s healthcare system, further compounds these reservations (NHS Backlog Data
Analysis, n.d.). It's important to consider these challenges and potential consequences before
implementing a UHC system in the United States.
Argumentative paragraph: support
Numerous advantages can be made for the implementation of Universal Health Care
(UHC). By expanding the existing U.S. healthcare system, similar to Germany's approach, we
can extend access to healthcare services, tailoring them to individual socioeconomic statuses
(Zieff et al., 2020). UHC also has the potential to address the pressing issue of
non-communicable chronic diseases, including cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, and obesity,
which place a considerable strain on the national economy. It primarily affects those with lower
socioeconomic status, leading to a decline in health performance and life expectancy (Zieff et al.,
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2020). Furthermore, the World Health Organization recognizes UHC as a fundamental human
right, emphasizing that healthcare should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their
citizenship status (World Health Organization: WHO, 2023). From a moral perspective, it's
justified that healthcare is a right for anyone who exists, transcending borders and citizenship
status. Lastly, healthcare can be seen as a Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs since it falls under the
branch of safety and even physiological needs (Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and Its Application
in the Healthcare Industry, n.d.). This is because as health care workers, we assess the body in a
holistic sense, which involves not only the physical capacities of our patients, but also the
physiological aspects, which involve the intellectual, social, and emotion of our patients
(Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and Its Application in the Healthcare Industry, n.d.).
Conclusion
In the United States, the path to achieving a UHC system is coveted in a web of factors,
involving not only the garnering of support but also the meticulous navigation of financial
arrangements, quality assurance, and other essential considerations. This intricate web of factors
reminds us that the implementation of UHC cannot be done on a whim; it's a commitment to a
vision where healthcare is a universal right, transcending both borders and socioeconomic
divisions. Ultimately, as healthcare professionals, we understand the profound impact of
accessible healthcare on individuals and society as a whole. It's not just a matter of policy; it's a
testament to our collective commitment to the health, well-being, and dignity of all people.
Furthermore, it is in our code of ethics, to advocate for the patient. The debate may continue, but
the core principle remains unwavering: that healthcare is a fundamental right, and it's a shared
responsibility to make it accessible to every individual, regardless of their circumstances.
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References
Dawkins, B., Renwick, C., Ensor, T., Shinkins, B., Jayne, D., & Meads, D. (2020). What factors
affect patients' access to healthcare? Protocol for an overview of systematic reviews.
Systematic reviews, 9(1), 18.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-020-1278-z
Kaiser Family Foundation. (2022, October 27). Explaining health care reform: Questions about
health insurance subsidies | KFF. KFF. Retrieved September 17, 2023, from
https://www.kff.org/health-reform/issue-brief/explaining-health-care-reform-questions-ab
out-health-insurance-subsidies/
Maslow's Hierarchy of needs and its Application in the Healthcare Industry. (n.d.).
Actforlibraries.org.
http://www.actforlibraries.org/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-and-its-application-in-the-hea
lthcare-industry/
Myers, J. (2022, January 7). California universal healthcare would be funded by new taxes - Los
Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times.
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-01-06/democrats-propose-california-unive
rsal-healthcare-funded-by-new-income-and-business-taxe
NHS backlog data analysis. (n.d.). The British Medical Association Is the Trade Union and
Professional Body for Doctors in the UK.
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/nhs-delivery-and-workforce/pressures/nhs-b
acklog-data-analysis
ProCon.org. (2023, March 16). Universal Healthcare Pros and Cons. Right to Health Care.
https://healthcare.procon.org/
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World Health Organization: WHO. (2023). Universal health coverage (UHC).
www.who.int
.
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/universal-health-coverage-(uhc)
Zieff, G., Kerr, Z. Y., Moore, J. B., & Stoner, L. (2020). Universal Healthcare in the United
States of America: A Healthy Debate. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), 56(11), 580.
https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina56110580