Healthcare in the United States is expensive. As of 2020, each person in the U.S. pays $12,500 on average according to the Peter G. Peterson Foundation. This can make it difficult for the average America to access treatment. In fact, 22% of citizens in the country avoid seeking medical attention because of the cost, according to CNBC. The financial burden that can be healthcare in the U.S. is unacceptable and needs to be replaced.
Universal health care relieves these financial burdens that so many face. A universal healthcare system would benefit both low-income and middle-class people the most. They would be able to access previously unaffordable treatments and would be able to avoid the tremendous dent that can come with healthcare jobs.
Conditions like cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other chronic health issues can cost the most to treat, yet they are some of the most common health issues, especially in the U.S. These prices can already be high for those with healthcare, but without healthcare, these prices can be exponentially higher.
Surgeries are also expensive and can be lifesaving, making it extra important to be affordable. Appendectomies, biopsies for cancer, cataract surgery and artery bypass surgery can all save a person’s life, but if someone doesn’t have the funds to pay for these, they may not get them.
Universal healthcare also covers the cost of prescription drugs which is also very important. With drug prices constantly on the rise, a lot of people can’t afford to buy lifesaving medicine. As of June 2021, 18 million Americans weren’t to pay for at least one medicine that was prescribed to them.
Even just the cost of health insurance is expensive. People may pay hundreds of dollars every month for health insurance. Even then, health insurance companies don’t fully cover the expenses for any medical procedure. With universal health care, people would not have to worry about paying for health insurance, as the government would pay for health care services and treatments.
Countries that have universal healthcare also provide benefits for pregnant people like paid parental leave, typically lasting about a year. Longer parental leaves allow the person who gave birth more time to recover and gives both parents more time with their child.
In addition, universal healthcare also covers the expenses of mental healthcare. Mental health issues like anxiety and depression are common in the U.S. and having access to therapy and medication is crucial to reducing symptoms. Taking care of your mental health and getting treatment is just as important as physical health. Issues such as addiction can also be helped by rehabilitation services funded through universal healthcare.
Hyper-beneficial to everyone in the U.S., universal healthcare needs to be implemented.
Vanessa Werner can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @VanessaRWerner