The main points of controversy that I found make up the binary positions on the universal health care debate are: how the new system will effect Americans financially, the effectiveness of a universal health care plan, and the the need for universal health care. I was able to find several sites of useful information relating to the issue, while doing research on the subject for this blog . The following is a recommended list of reliable sources that will provide further insight into each of the aspects of the health care controversy.
One article that I found interesting was published in the New Yorker Magazine. "The Moral-Hazard Myth" by Malcolm Gladwell takes an interesting view on the health care system in the Unites States. Gladwell states that the inability for some citizens to afford health care is causing for a growing difference in the way they look compared to the rest of the population who can afford care. Another point that Gladwell explains is the loyalty that so many American's have for the current health care system. As the title suggests however the main intent of the article lies in the the name "moral-hazard" that has been presented as a negative effect resulting from universal health care. Overall Gladwell provides an interesting analysis of the causes and conclusions that surround the American health care system.
The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation is one of the most extensive sites that I found relating to the American health care debate. The site provides up to date health news including the recent proposed plans by presidential candidates, facts and statistics that have been gathered, and information on topics ranging from health coverage to the women's health policy. The Kaiser Family Foundation effectively presents all aspects of health care so that readers are equipped to evaluate the situation. The points included cover the aspects that should be considered while deciding how the American health care system should be updated. A site related to the Kaiser Family Foundation that I found both interesting and helpful was the Global Health Facts page that provides information on the health care of nations around the world, including per capita spending and much more, with the click of a mouse.
"The Testimony on Universal Health Care" by Alan Sager and Deborah Socolar is a report on their findings concerning universal health care. The effect of universal health care and ways that it could be instituted without increasing costs are outlined in the report. In their findings Sager and Socolar show how providing health care to all would actually decrease spending in the long run, and increase the quality of care. The small scale model of Massachusetts helps to give an idea of how a single-payer system of health care could work, and the information helps support the idea that it might be applied on a larger scale.
The Straight Talk is site that shows the American support for a universal health care system and the various political stances on the issue. While setting up both sides of the argument Straight Talk is also able to get across the idea that health care in America is a real issue that more and more citizens are becoming interested in. Quotes, polls, points, and facts give a brief intro into the health care debate at a glance picking out the main issues in the debate and presenting them in a clear and straight forward manner.
The rising health care costs in America is one of the reasons that health care is such a pressing issue. The one difference between America's health care system and that of other developed nations is that America depends on private health care providers. American Health Care Reform provides insight about the condition of America's health care system. The site serves to unravel the false beliefs about a universal health care system and promotes it through revealing the insurance loops of private health care providers.
Any change, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, in the health care system cannot be accomplished by any one group alone. Coming together to make a difference is the tool that Change Now for Health proposes to use in the effort to reform the nation's health care system. Their website provides useful information on why the U.S. needs to change the current health care system. Resources on the site including current news articles on health care and real world examples support the country's increasing need for a new health care system.
Just how many American's are uninsured? The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities provides answers about how the number of Americans that are uninsured are rising. Tracking the course of the insurance in America through information gathered by the Census Bureau is among the ways that the site has formulated its opinions. As a conclusion the site points out key factors that have caused the dramatic climb in the number of uninsured.
The National Coalition on Health Care founded in 1990 is a non profit working to improve health care in America. NCHC gives readers a "Q&A" style web page on universal health care. Questions that the site answers start with identifying who the uninsured are and concludes in stating that increased coverage will increase life expectancy and decrease spending. The page, which was published in 2007, provides current and reliable information on the issue.
The American Medical Student Association has a recently added informational page in the form of "Universal Health Care Educational Resources." On the page readers can find reliable sources to learn more about all the varying aspects and sides in the universal health care debate. AMSA provides an unbiased approach that is there to solely educate. The approach of this page achieves a stand that is open and allows the reader to form their own opinions on the debate.
The need for universal health care is based on the rising costs of health care in the U.S. that is causing many citizen to go without health care when they can no longer afford the prices. The National Center for Policy Analysis gives insight into the reasons behind rising health care costs in an article by Devon Herrick, Ph. D is the research manager at the National Center for Policy Analysis. This site looks at the health care issue by comparing the health care market to that of cosmetic surgery. Why haven't the prices of cosmetic surgery increased similar to health care? Herrick blames differences in the markets saying,"One sector has a competitive marketplace and stable prices. The other does not." The health care market in America is complex and confusing, and counted among the reasons that health care costs continue to rise.
The importance of the health care debate in America comes from the affect that its outcome will have on the population individually. Health care affects everyone. Increasing concern for how the government will decide to run the health care system has continued to grow along side the related prices. The need, efficiency, and finance that are involved with a new plan are key factors for the government to reflect on in the upcoming election. With increasing concern and an internet connection, that allows information to be shared, more and more Americans are becoming aware of the issue that has been building up. All of the information unfortunately is not reliable. The provided links are among some of the credible sources that can be found currently about the nation's health care debate.
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4 comments:
One of the first comments you made in this post really caught my attention. You were arguing that people who cant afford health insurance are looked down upon from society. I dont think this is fair, health insurance costs have gone through the roof in recent years and with all the over expenses of everyday life in America it is easy to fall short. There is a very wide disparity in our social classes, and the lower classes struggle to afford the necessities. Health insurance is a neccessity. Those who cant afford it just give up, if they become sick they will avoid getting help because they dont want to be confronted with expensive hospital bills. We owe it to the country to help these people in need. Just because someone struggles does not mean they dont work hard. Not everyone is given the same opportuinities in life, so we have to help out those less fortunate.
Social Darwinism. The poor remain so at their own accord.
Kristy, I did not argue that American's who are not able to pay for health care are looked down upon. Of my post that singular line was put into introduce and idea by a writer who stated the way people look (physically) is different for those who do not have health care, however this is not the big topic of my debate. The writer gives the example of not being able to afford going to the dentist, which could cause for a physical difference.
I support universal health care because I believe health care is a right. People shouldn't suffer based on whether or not they can afford to go to the doctor.
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