My Thoughts on America’s Healthcare System
Although I tend to consider myself an Independent in the world of politics, I will admit that I typically lean left on most issues. And given the new election cycle, I have been quite attentive to the various democratic debates that have been taking place over the last few months. And one issue in particular struck me, and as you might have guessed, it was the issue of healthcare.
Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders are both pushing for a universal healthcare plan, which effectively means a single government program that provides healthcare to everyone in this country (whether that includes illegal aliens is up for debate, but honestly outside the scope of this discussion). Although the plan is definitely bold and would definitively transform the American healthcare system and as a result America as a whole, I am not on board with this plan in the slightest. And I have a few reasons why I feel this way.
First off is the cost. Such a healthcare plan will cost trillions upon trillions of dollars to put into effect, which is problematic primarily because of where that money will come from. While everyone in this country will admittedly pay taxes that will contribute to such a healthcare system, the rich will take on a significantly larger share of the costs, to the point of it being completely unfair to any sane person. Forcing people to pay more than their fair share is not something that I approve of, and when those funds are generated through a wealth tax like many of the presidential candidates are proposing, something that I personally feel is unconstitutional, it is even less appealing to me.
Another issue I see with such universal healthcare system is that I simply do not trust the government to be taking on such a massive program. I am all for government oversight on certain issues, but only when they do not bite off more than they can chew. Taking over for the healthcare of the entire country, arguably one of the most important aspects of a person’s life, is basically the definition of biting off more than they can chew. Sure, there is a chance that they can effectively manage a universal healthcare system without any significant issues, but I definitely would not count on it.
And perhaps the most compelling reason I disapprove of a universal healthcare system is the fact that the current system of privatized insurance is working. The majority of Americans actually like their healthcare and do not want anything changed. So why change a good thing? I can totally understand trying to fill in gaps of coverage, which was Obamacare’s initial goal from the start. But that is totally different from overhauling a system that truly works for the vast majority of Americans.
While I can definitely see inefficiencies with our current healthcare system, the goal should be to modify that healthcare system so that everyone benefits, rather than creating a brand new system that may or may not work, which is something I believe Pete Buttigieg and maybe Joe Biden are calling for. This would be the best way to approach the debate on healthcare in my view – and one that would actually stand a chance of passing into law, which is something that I cannot say about Senator Warren or Bernie’s healthcare plans.