Pros & Cons of National Health Care Insurance
National health care insurance, often referred to as universal health care, is a heavily debated topic not only among the politicians of the United States, but among its citizens as well. The topic is not a simple one and there are many often debated pros and cons of national health care insurance.-
Cost
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Arguments against national health care insurance often express concerns regarding who will pay for the cost of health insurance polices of the uninsured and underinsured. Under proposed national health care insurance guidelines, individuals pay for part of the cost of their insurance policies while the government, via an increase in individual and business taxes, offsets the rest of the cost. In addition to increasing taxes, another proposed way of subsidizing the cost of national health care insurance is by not renewing certain tax cuts.
Benefits
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Advocates for universal health care state that those with health insurance are far more likely to seek medical attention before a condition worsens to the point of needing emergent care. Getting health care before a condition worsens helps reduce the number of premature deaths of chronically ill children and adults. Proponents for national health care insurance argue the benefits of providing individuals with access to preventative health care help lead to a healthier and more productive society.
Other Considerations
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An additional consideration for those supporting national health care insurance is that individuals without health insurance are more likely to be in poorer health by the time they qualify for Medicare. This then leads to an increased cost in care. Advocates argue that a universal health care program will help to prevent this from happening. An additional consideration for those against national health care insurance is that it will take longer for people to receive proper care because the bureaucracy of a government sponsored health insurance program will slow down the caregiver's ability to treat patients.
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