Reasons the U.S. Should Have Universal Healthcare

The United States is one of the only industrialized wealthy nations in the world to not provide every citizen with healthcare. This reason is that the U.S. has a system that includes government-sponsored insurance and private insurance companies. Those who do not qualify for government assistance are subject to the standards of for-profit companies, which can decline service for a variety of reasons. A universal healthcare system would regulate these situations and possibly save money.

Uninsured

• A large portion of the U.S. population is uninsured. According to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, 45.7 million people had no insurance as of 2007. In addition, 86.7 million Americans had no coverage at some point during 2007 and 2008.

Costs

• Statistics from the National Coalition on Health Care show that between 1999 and 2009, the average cost of employment-based healthcare rose from $1,543 to $3,354.40 per person. Companies bear the brunt of these costs, causing many to cut coverage.

Centralization

• Universal healthcare in the U.S. can possibly centralize all patients within a national database. This would make diagnosis and treatment options easier and more accessible for doctors.

Treatment

• Rather than focusing on insurance procedures and malpractice liability, medical practitioners could focus on treating patients. A universal system would cover all citizens for every condition, regardless of their financial situations.

Pre-Existing Conditions

• One of the biggest reasons people are uninsured in the U.S. system is denial of coverage by for-profit companies due to patients' pre-existing conditions. With universal healthcare, these patients would be covered.