Introduction
Health care is a crucial aspect and a basic need for every human being in the society as it helps improve the health of the people through diagnosis and treatment of diseases and other health complications. Universal health care is a system which offers quality health care services to all members of the society regardless of several factors such as the ability to pay (Amadeo, 2018). It is upon the major health organizations and the governments to make sure every individual receives quality care in health facilities and ensure the health care facilities have equipment and resources to properly attend to patients. Some of the benefits of universal health care are such as equal access to health care, reduced health care costs and improve public health.
Pros of Universal Health Care
Equal Access to Health Care
Equal access to health care is one of the benefits of universal health care as it offers the people health care services they need even though they cannot afford it. Both the rich and the poor people in the society are able to get basic health care services thus, no discrimination. Many people in the society are unemployed, financially unstable and may find difficulty in accessing health care services especially when they need it the most but the equal access to health care resolves this problem (Formosa Post, 2017). Also, the equal access to health care promotes an equal pedestal in the society as no single human life is important than the other with reference to financial stability to access health services.
Reduced Health Care Costs
Another benefit related to universal health care is the reduction in medical costs. Today most privatized health facilities have inflated health care costs simply because they are individually managed and controlled and coordinated. When it comes to universal health care, the government regulates various health care costs such as hospital fees and insurance premiums which in the private hospitals set highly. The regulation of healthcare costs by the government makes it more affordable as cost inflation will be curbed on aspects such as medical tests, hospital stays and medical procedures (Amadeo, 2018). Universal healthcare helps lower the health care cost for an economy as the government is primarily involved in regulation and negotiation of the health care features.
Improved Public Health
Implementation of the universal health care helps improve the health of the public as all the people are able to access basic medical services required when they are ill as the costs are spread across the entire population. Due to the affordability of the healthcare services, the people will get treated for illnesses thus leaving a healthy society ready to increase their productivity in the society (Formosa Post, 2017). Also, many deaths related to illnesses will be reduced as the people can easily get treated and avoid high mortality rates. Universal health care helps improve public health as the spread of infectious diseases can be curbed which would otherwise have been ignored due to difficulty in accessing health care services.
Cons of Universal Health Care
Increased Taxes
Despite the universal health care being beneficial, there are some other disadvantages associated with it such as increased taxes. Universal health care may be perceived as free or subsidized but in the real sense, taxes need to be raised to accommodate it (Ireland, 2017). This means that people working will be taxed highly to support those who are not working.
Long Wait Time
Since the universal health care is controlled by the government, there can be bureaucracy which can cause poor services by the practitioners. Also, many patients with less critical conditions may fill hospitals thus increasing longer wait times for those with complex health emergencies (Ireland, 2017).
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is evident that the universal health care is very important and helpful as it considers the less fortunate in the society in accessing medical services, makes health care readily available to all and creates a healthier society in general. However, the universal health care can be misused by the people causing other problems like long wait times and increased taxes imposed on the working population.
References
Amadeo, K. (2018). Universal Health Care in Different Countries, Pros and Cons of Each. Retrieved from: https://www.thebalance.com/universal-health-care-4156211
Formosa Post. (2017). Pros and Cons of Universal Health Care. Retrieved from: https://www.formosapost.com/pros-and-cons-of-universal-health-care/
Ireland, K. (2017). Pros and Cons of Universal Health Care. Retrieved from: https://www.livestrong.com/article/30692-pros-cons-universal-health/
