Implications Post

The future of health care lies in the hands of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. President Obama has already proposed his version of health care reform and now it is up to Congress to decide what lies ahead of us in our fight for a more efficient health care system. Being one of the most historic moments in congressional history the health care bill was passed in the House of representatives. But what lies ahead for the health care bill? The next step is for the Senate to pass its version of the health care bill. After this long process the bill has to go through a conference comitte in where both bills will be compiled into one. Many people believe that health care reform will never be accomplished in the United States. If the problems that are found within our current health care system remain unsolved then more and more Americans will be uninsured, leading to higher mortality rates and lower life expectancy rates.


http://activepaper.olivesoftware.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=V0JETi8yMDA5LzA2LzE2I0FyMDA2MDU=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom

http://www.alternativesmagazine.com/16/bayer.html

http://chrisberryonthe.net/2008/09/08/revisiting-the-oregon-plan-the-future-of-healthcare-in-america/

http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/09/from-the-house-leadership-sighs-of-relief/

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/opinions/view/opinion/After-Passing-House-Whats-Next-for-Health-Care-Bill-1543

The Benefits of Universal Health Care

Sadly, universal health care would demand higher taxes and more government spending on health care, but in this case the benefits outweigh the consequences. Under universal health care every American would be guaranteed free health care. Our current health care system mainly benefits the upper class by placing a burden on the lower and middle classes. Reality is that health care is one of the most expensive necessities that American citizens have to decide whether or not to pay for. One of the many benefits that arise from universal health care is that every individual will be treated the same. Disregarding the social class one is in, anyone can see whatever doctor they wish to see. Of course doctor popularity will conflict with citizen's freedom to choose over doctor care, but in most cases every individual will be accepted into whichever clinic they desire. Doctors believe that under universal health care the medical field will be able to eliminate wasteful inefficiencies such as duplicate paper work, claim approval, and insurance submission. Also a centralized national database will be established which will make diagnosis and treatments easier for doctors. In other words, all of the unnecessary paper work that is required for first time patients in clinics will be completely eliminated. Since every patients information will be saved under a centralized database, doctors will be able to access patient information quicker and more effectively than under our current health care system. Health care is a calamity that many would rather not have to deal with. The few that have health care spend a tremendous amount of money on health care. Most people often avoid yearly physical check ups and preventive measures due to the overwhelming cost of health care.

Annotated Links Post

Here are a few of the most useful websites that I came across when researching about universal health care:

1.This website clearly points out the differences between the various arguments proposed by political actors in the health care debate. It talks about the opposing views of those that are against universal health care. It also talks about the arguments created by those that are in favor of universal health care. Overall this website helped me differentiate between the opposing sides of the health care debate clearly pointing out the different opinions centered around universal health care.

http://www.balancedpolitics.org/universal_health_care.htm



2. This website not only talked about the history of universal health care but it also analyzed the different presidential attempts in reforming health care. It talks about how throughout American history presidents like Clinton, Truman, and Roosevelt had initiated health care reform but unfortunately were not successful in doing so. But most importantly this website gives an outlook as to why universal health care has failed so many times.

http://www.pnhp.org/facts/a_brief_history_universal_health_care_efforts_in_the_us.php?page=4

3.This website provides an outline of the various myths that are thought to come out of universal health care. It points out all of the false assumptions that many mistakenly believe to be true. It also gives many shocking facts comparing the United States' quality of health to that of other nations.

http://cthealth.server101.com/the_case_for_universal_health_care_in_the_united_states.htm


4. This blog created by Robert Laszewski discusses the various arguments concerning health care reform in the United States. It discusses the different types of bills proposed by both the house and the senate. It also gives insight as to what most Americans believe the government should do in order to reform health care. This blog effectively proposes different arguments that could be helpful if one is unsure as to whether or not universal health care would work in the United States.

http://www.thehealthcareblog.com/the_health_care_blog/2008/03/a-detailed-anal.html

5. This news article discusses the problems that are found within our current health care system. These problems including the lack of quality health care, inefficient private insurance companies, and the fact that 47 million Americans are uninsured. This website brings attention to the idea that something needs to be done within our current health care system in order for Americans to be happy.

http://dbaron.org/views/health.html

6. This website talks about the Canadian health care system. It compares the Canadian health care system, a single payer health care system, to that of the United States. It also argues that the United States should follow the Canadian model and provide their citizens with free medical health care. This website also informs readers about the many benefits Canadians enjoy due to the universal health care coverage that is provided by the government.

http://www.medhunters.com/articles/healthcareInCanada.html

The Other Side of the Debate

Many argue that there has not been a single government agency capable of successfully managing a national organization. American citizens fear that under a universal health care system the government will waste taxpayers money. Others argue that universal health care is not really free because citizens must pay for it under higher taxes. According to some if universal health care were to be passed then doctors will have no incentive in pursuing a career in the medical field. Anti-universal health care sentiments include the idea that a government controlled health care system would lead to a decrease in patient flexibility. Usually government workers earn a lower salary than private company workers, people are concerned that under a health care system controlled by the government doctor salaries will decrease to the point that many doctors will decide to leave the medical field. Under universal health care, the government is most likely to pass mandated procedures that in the long run will reduce doctor flexibility and lead to poor patient care. Another problem posed by a single payer health care system is that healthy people will have to pay for the burden of those who smoke and are obese. Healthy Americans are opposed to universal health care because they take preventive measures unlike those who willingly choose to harm themselves by smoking or eating excessive amounts of food. Economists fear that universal health care will lead to a decrease in jobs in the private insurance industry since most private insurance companies will go bankrupt. Other concerns include the assumption that malpractice lawsuits will increase tremendously due to the fact that the government is the richest organization in the nation. Therefore those who file malpractice lawsuits are likely to earn twice as much as if they were to sue a private insurance company. Even though many arguments have been proposed against a government controlled health care system, most Americans are in favor of universal health care.

Universal Health Care: Socialism?

We are under the assumption that private insurance companies are established for the in order to provide quality health care for patients, but I have come to the conclusion that insurance has transformed into pre-paid health care. In order to receive health care a person must be covered by either a private insurance company or by Medicare or Medicaid. Employees who believe that there companies "cover" their insurance costs are sadly mistaken. Businesses deduct money from employees' pay checks in order to pay for their insurance. People argue that the United States does not need a system in where the government has total control over health care. They believe that eventually this single payer health care system will lead to socialism. Socialism is a system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution in the community as a whole. People fear that as a result of universal health care the government will socialize every type of privately owned corporations, including banks, small businesses, etc. Socialism brings with it a negative connotation due to the fact that socialism is widely viewed down upon in American political culture. Socialized medicine refers to the idea that the government will be the only organization responsible for the distribution of health care. The debate of whether or not universal health care would lead to socialism is one that has brought controversy among many political advocates. Personally, I believe that universal health care will not lead to socialism, especially in the United States. Due to the complexity found within our government, socialism is most likely never going to have an effect within our lives.

Analysis Post

Coming into this project I had a small understanding of what my topic was about. After visiting blogs centered on health care reform and after doing research concerning my topic, I realized that my understanding towards health care reform was slightly skewed. At first I thought universal health care would be a brilliant idea, but then I came to the conclusion that health care reform is a more complex problem than I had imagined. There are many arguments that are presented towards health care reform in America. Some of these arguments are in favor of health care reform, while others are against it. After taking into consideration all of the arguments that political actors were making in the health care debate, I realized that health care is a problem that will take many years to reform.

Throughout this project, I realized that instead of being preoccupied with grammar usage and paragraph transitions, I mainly focused on the argument I was trying to convey. Blogging has made me realize how important research is in order to establish a well supported and thought out argument. Without facts it is hard to convince people that the argument you are making is correct. I not only learned about the arguments centered around the health care debate but I also learned how to efficiently argue about my opinions. Most people that commented on my blog were clearly biased as to whether or not the American government should approve of universal health care. At times peoples' bias challenged my own opinions and ways of thinking towards the topic, but this hurdle made me realize how important it is for people to back up ones arguments with facts.

For example, I did not know that there are 47 million Americans uninsured. That compared to other countries the United States is ranked 37th in providing adequate quality of health care. After researching more in depth about why so many Americans are uninsured, I realized that our current health care system needs a lot of help. Learning more about the topic helped me understand the arguments scattered within the scope of health care reform. Even though I am still unsure about which solution is the best towards reforming health care, I am optimistic that in the future changes will be made towards our current health care system.


http://healthcare.change.org/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386032/plotsummary

http://healthpolicyandmarket.blogspot.com/

http://healthcare-economist.com/

http://www.healthreform.gov/

http://money.cnn.com/2009/07/24/news/economy/health_care_reform_obama.fortune/index.htm

http://www.newsweek.com/id/214254

http://weakonomics.com/2009/06/08/the-pros-and-cons-of-universal-health-care-in-the-united-states%C2%A0/

http://www.racewire.org/archives/2009/08/in_healthcare_debate_dispellin.html

http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/23/health-care-reform-lifestyle-health-universal-health-care.html

http://www.youdebate.com/DEBATES/national_health_care.HTM

France's Health Care System: Why Can't We Be Like The French?

Many people prefer the luxurious amenities found within the American health care system, but when it comes to cheaper prices and quality health care many turn to the french for health care. France enjoys universal health care, in other words french citizens enjoy free health care everywhere in France. The health care system in American is too expensive for many and the quality of health care is not the best. The french government's total expenditure on health insurance covers 80% of all the costs. The rest is paid by consumers and employers through supplemental pocket expenses and immigrants from other countries that receive health care in France.

Differently from the American health care system, the french health care system covers the costs for patients who have chronic illnesses and need medical attention. Everyone who has lived in France for more than three months is considered a citizen, therefore they can enjoy the benefits of universal health care. A recent study shows that compared to the American population, the french live longer and suffer less heart attacks. Many believe this is due to the fact that France has more doctors and hospital beds. In France patients are free to navigate within public hospitals and are still guaranteed a reimbursement by the government. Overall, statistics show that France provides better quality health care than the United States. The french National Health Insurance, NHI, covers costs which include hospital care, outpatient services, prescription drugs, dental care, and even nursing home care. Public opinion towards whether or not the United States should mimic the french health care system is evenly divided. About half of the nation believes that the United States should have universal health care, while the other half believes it should not.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/051709dnbusfrance.40cc221.html