U.S. Healthcare: What Can We Do About It, and Why Is It So Controversial?

by: Sabrina Pham

How Healthcare works in the U.S.

The U.S. healthcare system is paid through monthly payments for health insurance, though healthcare generally costs a lot, even after covid happened. This would pose an issue for a lot of people regarding the costs for something that everyone needs and requires to live.

“Disadvantages of universal healthcare include significant upfront costs and logistical challenges. On the other hand, universal healthcare may lead to a healthier populace, and thus, in the long-term, help to mitigate the economic costs of an unhealthy nation.”, from the article, ‘Universal Healthcare in the United States of America: A Healthy Debate’, phrases the issue well.

Through this, it’s understandable how it would be a bit difficult for the U.S. to procure a better solution for this system, specifically if the U.S. were to switch the healthcare system. Stepping away from how the U.S. does it, let’s explore how other places in the world handle it.

How healthcare is handled in other places

For example in Canada, according to The Commonwealth Fund, “Canada has a decentralized, universal, publicly funded health system called Canadian Medicare. Each has its own insurance plan, and each receives cash assistance from the federal government on a per-capita basis.” That already differs from the U.S, over there, everyone covers and is covered cost-wise which only leaves them to worry about the actual treatments. In addition, “To pay for excluded services, including outpatient prescription drugs and dental care, provinces and territories provide some coverage for targeted groups. In addition, about two-thirds of Canadians have private insurance.” This would mean that outside of general healthcare, more personal services are also covered, to an extent, which is a nice bonus.

After looking at how each deals with healthcare, Canada seems to focus more on the well-being of their people, while the U.S. prioritizes costs. So logically, if the U.S was to switch our system to a universal one, like for Canada, we would essentially be able to pay likely less than what we do now since everyone would be paying roughly the same amount, more people would have better access to healthcare. Though all that sounds great for the general public, there’s another essential factor to be considered. 

Why it's compliacted

“It would be very nice for the U.S. to have that free system, people who don’t have that kind of money are definitely struggling, money is an issue around this.”, Temple nursing professor, Kathleen Boczar, shares her thoughts on the matter.