Access to Healthcare is a fundamental human right. Every person should have the opportunity to receive quality care when they need it, regardless of their income or social status. Unfortunately, this is not the reality for millions of people in the United States. In this article, Healthcare Leader and Advocate Sherief Abu Moustafa will discuss why access to Healthcare is so important in the U.S. and what can be done to improve the situation.
History Of Healthcare In The U.S.
The United States has a long and complicated history with Healthcare. Healthcare was only available to those who could afford it for many years. This meant that millions of people could not get the care they needed, which led to widespread illness and poverty.
In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Medicare Act into law, which provided healthcare coverage for seniors and people with disabilities. This was a significant step forward, but it did not solve the problem of healthcare access for all Americans. The situation has only gotten worse in recent years.
Why Healthcare Access Is So Important In The U.S.
There are many reasons why access to Healthcare is so important in the U.S. First, Healthcare is essential for maintaining good health. Everyone should have access to necessary medical care, regardless of their ability to pay.
Second, Healthcare plays a vital role in the economy. According to the National Institute of Health, “healthcare spending accounted for 17.87 percent of GDP in 2016, and is projected to grow at an average annual rate of about five percent to reach 20.36 percent of GDP by 2026.” This means that the healthcare industry is a significant driver of the national economy, and it is vital that everyone has access to quality care.
Third, Healthcare is a human right. The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights states that “everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for himself and his family’s health and well-being, including food, clothing, housing, and medical care.” This means that all people have a right to access healthcare services.
Challenges Facing Healthcare Access In The U.S. Today
There are many challenges facing healthcare access in the U.S. today. Some of the most pressing issues include the high cost of Healthcare, the lack of coverage for millions of people, and the struggle to provide quality care to all Americans.
High Cost Of Healthcare
The cost of Healthcare in the U.S. is one of the biggest challenges facing patients and providers today. According to a report from the Commonwealth Fund, “the price of health care services and products in the United States is the highest in the world.” This means that people in the U.S. often have to pay more for healthcare than people in other countries.
Sherief Abu Moustafa says this high cost creates a significant financial burden for patients and their families. In fact, “more than one-third of U.S. adults (35 percent) reported problems paying medical bills in the past year.” This can lead to financial instability and even bankruptcy.
Lack Of Coverage For Millions Of Americans
Another challenge facing healthcare access in the U.S. is the lack of coverage for millions of people. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation report, “27 percent of adults (approximately 57 million) under 65 were uninsured in 2017.” This means that millions of people do not have access to quality healthcare services.
This lack of coverage can have severe consequences for patients and their families. For example, “Uninsured people are more likely to delay care, experience financial hardship, or be diagnosed with a disease later.”
Struggle To Provide Quality Care To All Americans
The U.S. has a long history of struggling to provide quality care to all its citizens. This is due, in part, to the large and diverse population of the country. It is also expected that the U.S. does not have a single-payer healthcare system.
This struggle is evident in the high levels of uninsured Americans, the large number of people who cannot afford to pay for Healthcare, and the U.S. ranks poorly in terms of health outcomes. For example, “the U.S. ranks last among 11 developed countries regarding life expectancy and has the highest infant mortality rate.”
How You Can Help
There are many ways to help ensure that all Americans have access to quality healthcare services. First, Speak out about the importance of healthcare access and rally your friends and family to support this cause.
Second, Contact your elected officials and let them know that you want them to work to improve healthcare access for all Americans.
Third, Use your voice and vote to support candidates committed to improving healthcare access in the U.S.
Fourth, Donate money or time to organizations working to improve healthcare access for all Americans.
Conclusion
Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right of all Americans. There are many challenges facing healthcare access in the U.S. today, but we can work together to overcome these challenges. Thank you for your support!
