The problem stated in this policy is the issue of healthcare in the United States.
The purpose of the following memo is to state the background of the issue,
discuss alternative solutions for the issue, provide a financial analysis, and
finally, provide evidence based on the recommendations for the chosen action.
The problem facing healthcare in the
United States is that there are between thirty-five thousand to forty-five
thousand people each year who die because they lack sufficient coverage to see
a doctor for basic medical needs. Woolhandler & Himmelstein (2017), claims
that 26 million people remain uninsured in the United States.
There are many solutions to this
issue, some current presidential candidates back a Medicare for all single
payer system while others favor a buy in or a public option for health
insurance. The potential for the exploitation of a public option by private
health insurance companies are very high. Because of the possibility of
exploitation, the best option would be to pursue a Medicare for All Single
Payer healthcare system.
Medicare for all is estimated to
cost between 28 trillion and 32 trillion over the course of ten years is one
estimate from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. According to the Physicians
for a National Health Program (2016), by replacing all of the individual
insurers and plans, and having a single streamlined claims process there would
be more than 400 billion saved in administrative costs that could cover thirty
million uninsured Americans.
Based on the evidence given, the
best course of action would be to dispose of the current private system and
replace it with a single payer system. The single payer system will cover
everyone at a much lower cost then the system that is currently in place. This
saves the taxpayer money as they will no longer have private premiums,
deductions, copays or any surprise bills due to insurance companies denying
claims.
Reference Page
Committee for a Responsible Federal
Budget. (February 27, 2019). How Much Will Medicare for All Cost? Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Retrieved
from https://www.crfb.org/blogs/how-much-will-medicare-all-cost
Physicians for a National Health
Program. (January 22, 2016). Doctors Group Welcomes National Debate on
‘Medicare for All’. Targeted News
Service. Retrieved from https://www.
Csuglobal.idm.oclc.org/login?url=htpps://search.proquest.com/docview/1759131801?accountid=38569
Shepherd, Joanna. (2017).
The prescription for rising drug prices: Competition or price controls? Health
Matrix, 27, 315.
Woolhandler, S.,
& Himmelstein, D. U. (2017, April 18). Single-Payer Reform: The Only Way to
Fulfill the President's Pledge of More Coverage, Better Benefits, and Lower
Costs. Retrieved from https://annals.org/aim/fullarticle/2605414/single-payer-reform-only-way-fulfill-president-s-pledge-more
