The Heath Care Debate

            Healthcare should not be viewed as a market commodity like sneakers or pencils. It is a complex system that can bring up fundamental questions about the way in which we view society here in the United States. We should not be kidding ourselves with the illusion that our current system of healthcare is the best in the world when it ranks 37^th. We have the most costly per capita health care system in the world and only the 15^th best results. The United States pays two and a half times the per capita health care costs than the average of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.[1]

            There are 45 million Americans without health insurance and another 25 million with inadequate coverage. The US ranks 46^th in life expectancy in the world. The United States currently spends about 17% of GDP on healthcare. That money basically goes to private health insurance and pharmaceutical companies whose goal isn’t to take care of people but to make money. The overhead, including profit for these companies is between 15-20% whereas Medicare is 2%.[2]

            The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), also known as Obamacare, was an improvement to the previous system because it expanded coverage and provided subsidies. Unfortunately large portions of the subsidies got sent right back to those same profiteering insurance and pharmaceutical companies and it doesn’t get to the root of the issues. By switching to a sort of Medicare for all single payer system, like that of the rest of the developed world, the United States would save 500-600 billion dollars a year in administrative costs alone.[3]

            The Green Party, which is a minor party in the United States, supports the single payer system.[4] Some progressive Democrats had originally favored a single payer system, but it was abandoned in negotiating a bill that would pass.[5] There were Democrats however that were prepared to pursue a single payer system if PPACA failed to pass.[6] Republicans generally don’t favor a single payer system and argue that free market competition is the best way to keep prices down and the quality of care up.[7] Facts say otherwise.

            The United States should adopt a single payer healthcare system. An all around more holistic approach is needed for a variety of health issues with emphasis on prevention. The implications of which are far reaching, such as drug addictions being treated as a health issue rather than as a crime. The minor reforms being proposed by Democrats and the desire to maintain the status quo by Republicans is hurting the country. We need to face the facts and fix our broken system; unfortunately the two major parties are not working towards the simple solution.

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[1] Taylor, Adam, and Samuel Blackstone. "The 36 Best Healthcare Systems In The World." Business Insider. http://www.businessinsider.com/best-healthcare-systems-in-the-world-2012-6?op=1 (accessed February 25, 2013).

[2] "Healthcare." Econ4. http://econ4.org/statement-on-healthcare (accessed February 25, 2013).

[3] Ibid.

[4] " Green Party on Health Care." OnTheIssues.org. http://www.ontheissues.org/celeb/Green_Party_Health_Care.htm (accessed February 25, 2013).

[5] " Health Care: 2012 contenders' Views." OnTheIssues.org. http://ontheissues.org/Health_Care.htm (accessed February 25, 2013).

[6] Bendery, Jennifer. "Single-Payer Health Care Favored By House Progressives If Court Strikes Down Obamacare." The Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/27/house-progressives-single-payer-health-care_n_1630777.html (accessed February 25, 2013).

[7] “Health Care: 2012 contenders' Views." OnTheIssues.org. http://ontheissues.org/Health_Care.htm (accessed February 25, 2013).