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This proposition explores the economic and social implications of implementing universal health care, with a focus on increasing efficiency and social welfare in the United States. It discusses the challenges of rising healthcare costs, the benefits of providing coverage for all citizens, and the potential impact on the economy. The proposition also examines the social implications of universal health care, including improved access to healthcare services and reduced mortality rates.
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Proposition: Universal Health Care Will Increase Efficiency and Social Welfare In A RepublicDefinitions:1) Universal Health Care: According to Wikipedia.com, “Health care coverage for all eligible residents of a political region and often covers medical, dental and mental health care. Typically, costs are borne in the majority by publicly funded programs.”2) OECD - The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development3) GDP – Gross Domestic Product – Again, from the Wikipedia.com definition, “is a basic measure of a country's overall economic performance. It is the market value of all final goods and services made within the borders of a country in a year.”
Economic Implications (PRO) • “In 2004, U.S. spending per capita ($6,102, adjusted for purchasing power parity) was more than two times the median for affluent OECD countries ($2,961).” • Hacker, Jacob H. "EPI BRI E F ING PAPER." Health Care for America 180 (2007): 3-11 • According to the OECD health data in 2006, the United States continues to have the highest per capita health care spending among all other industrialized nations.
Economic Implications (PRO) Cont… • Health care costs are outgrowing the GDP • Americans are spending more on health care costs on average than other OECD nations • internationally, there is a legitimate positive correlation between per capita health care costs and per capita income, because richer nations spend a higher portion of national income on health care. • Despite the higher prices, a greater utilization of resources is inevident, and instead of being better, health care in the U.S. is worse than comparable countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Germany. Krugman, P., and R. Wells. 2006. The Health Care Crisis and What to Do about It. New York Review of Books, March 23.
Economic Implications (PRO) Cont… • As seen by state studies conducted by Massachusetts and Connecticut, single payer universal healthcare will save 1 to 2 billion dollars per year from the total medical costs while providing coverage for all the uninsured and broadening health care benefits • The climb in health care costs is no longer only a health care issue, but a national economic problem that can be alleviated by adopting Universal Health Care
PRO Arguments • Economic Implications (CON) Cont… • Short Term Costs • Administrative Costs would not reduce • Medicare vs Private • What are the savings? • Where would the money to fund this program come from? • Federal Deficit • Taxes – from the main earning class of the U.S.
PRO Arguments • Economic Implications (CON) Cont… • Long Term Costs • Obesity • Linked to Expensive Long Term Disorders • Obese Individuals Cost More To Take Care Of • Persistent Disorders • Stress • Diabetes • Smokers • Old Age Ailments
PRO Arguments • Economic Implications (CON) Cont… • Market Effect – Capitalist Viewpoint • Would Private Companies Compete With Government? • NOT With Pricing or Subsidies • How would R and D be affected? • No Profit Motives or Incentives in Market
Economic Implications (CON) Cont… http://www.heritage.org/Research/healthcare/bg2301.cfm
Social Implications (PRO) • Every year over 18,000 Americans die from not being covered by health insurance. That’s roughly about the size of nine average high schools! • Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Social Implications (PRO) Cont… • Another 14% of insured persons in the United States are under the federally funded program, Medicare, which insures those who are over the age of 65 and/or disabled who are otherwise ineligible. • Since 2000 the number of non elderly adults with Employer Health care has gone from 67% to 63% • The government funds the police department and the fire department, both in which are service providers to citizens; this is a similar concept of health care. • Almost 16% of the United States population is uninsured, that’s 47 million people living everyday with almost no access to appropriate medical care. • 60% of uninsured Americans are between 19-45 years old
Social Implications (PRO) Cont… • Insurance premiums are consistently rising not only for individuals (families) but also for employers • With Universal Health Care, companies will be more inclined to provide health care benefits due to the 8 percent tax that would be applied for those not offering medical coverage • The government funds the police department and the fire department, both in which are service providers to citizens; this is a similar concept of health care.
Social Implications (PRO) The Health Care Crisis and What to Do About It -Paul Krugman,†Robin Wells
Education Costs Public Medical Schools *(75 schools reporting) Source: AAMC Tuition and Student Fees Survey Average For A Resident Student: $43,702 per year $43,702 times (4) Years: $174,808
We Need More Doctors Not Less!! • The Association of American Medical Colleges recommends a 30% increase in the amount of new doctors per year • AAMC estimates that 1 in 3 doctors will reach the age of retirement within the next two decades • Aging baby boomers generation
Healthcare Is Not A Right • A citizen does not have a right towards someone else’s product or service
If It’s There Use It! • No deductions or Co-Payments • Patients less likely to curb healthcare consumption • Consumption of prescription drugs will increase • Healthy people will pay the price • Less incentive to stay healthy
Moral and Ideals of Our Nation (PRO) • If things don’t change, we are bound to repeat the same problem we once faced in the past • A man who is badly hurt in an accident gets treated at the hospital and the hospital tells him to “take it easy and slaps him with $30,000 bill.” • We Value Individual Life
Moral and Ideals of Our Nation (PRO) • Our Founding Fathers’ Values • equality, equal opportunities, equal access to resources, life liberty, and pursuit of happiness • 401K • The Potential of Those Suffering Goes Against These Ideals • Lessen the Gap Between Rich and Poor
Moral and Ideals of Our Nation (CON) • Universal Health Care will cause taxes to rise • The government will now have control over a person’s health care preference • Lose price negotiation advantages
Moral and Ideals of Our Nation (CON) Cont… • Politicians will feel pressured on the new system, which will cause more and more spending • Quality of health care will go down due to an increase of patients • Long waiting lists will be counterproductive • Health Care Professionals’ pay will be regulated by government
Moral and Ideals of Our Nation (CON) Cont… • There will be no competition in the medical field • Medical school enrollment will drop • Patients don’t have as many options to choose the “best doctor”
