Compared to other first-world countries, the United States seems to lag in one specific category: free healthcare. Across Europe and East Asia, countries offer their own versions of free healthcare offered by the government. America is one of the last remaining developed countries with an entirely private healthcare system. This article will compare the two different sides: those in favor of free healthcare and those against it.
In favor of free healthcare: To start, we will discuss the side that advocates for free healthcare. America is suffering an affordability crisis with rampant inflation and a declining job market. The idea of free healthcare would be giving every person healthcare coverage with taxpayer dollars rather than through an employer or private means, buying it for oneself, as is the current system. Under America’s private healthcare system, people are denied medical care or specific treatments due to their insurance policies. An ambulance costs around $3,000, and childbirth costs around $20,000; while most is billed to insurance, families still have to pay significant chunks of it out of pocket. In France, for example, their national healthcare covers 70% of all medical costs and 100% of all costly or long-term ailments. In Taiwan, a brand-name inhaler is $8; without insurance, the same inhaler is $340 in America. Free healthcare could help take the financial burden off, simply by existing, and bring the United States on par with its allies. A healthier nation means a stronger nation.
Against free healthcare: Many argue against free healthcare; however, for several reasons. Not all free healthcare is built equally. In the United Kingdom, for example, only certain medical providers are free and, typically, do not provide the same level of healthcare as private providers. A major argument against free healthcare is that free healthcare could decrease the quality of healthcare. In addition, many worry about tax burdens from covering the cost of healthcare for all; free healthcare sounds great until it hits your pockets.
The solution to healthcare in America is not clear. It is important to remember that free healthcare is not the same in every place it is applied; if it were applied in America, a system would need to be engineered specifically for the needs of our nation and the American people. Therefore, we must not assume certain failures or results would happen as have been observed in other places: each system is unique.
The views of this editorial do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper or Wayne Valley High School.
