Health as a Human Right: The Argument for Universal Care

Many countries offer their citizens free healthcare. Whether it's a citizen in France, Japan, or Croatia, they do not have to worry about medical expenses. Although the United States is one of the most powerful and developed nations in the world, it does not offer universal healthcare to its citizens. Hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S., unfortunately, die each year because they lack health insurance and can’t afford to pay their medical bills. The fact that those citizens pay a big chunk of their earnings in taxes raises eyebrows among people who may suggest that it would only be fair if the government paid for healthcare through tax money. The United States should adopt a universal healthcare system because access to medical care is a basic human right that strengthens both citizens and the nation as a whole.

Due to the increasing costs of healthcare in the United States, unfortunately, many people can’t afford it. Rapid growth in healthcare costs and limited access to health insurance continue to present challenges to the healthcare system. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, “About 43.6 million people lacked health insurance during 2006, and about 89.5 million people younger than 65 lacked health insurance for at least a month in 2006-7.” This was the situation around 17 years ago. Recently, health insurance premiums have grown faster than inflation and wages, and are now available to only a portion of the population. Therefore, people tend to put off needed care and rely more heavily on hospital emergency departments, which end up costing more. These circumstances threaten not only the health of citizens but also the economic productivity and social stability of the United States as a whole.

The idea of free healthcare aligns with the principle that every individual deserves the fundamental right to live a healthy and dignified life.  No one should be deprived of the chance to improve their physical or mental well-being. According to the Roman poet Virgil, “The greatest wealth is health.” When an individual's physical and mental health is in optimal condition, they are better equipped to navigate life's challenges with resilience and live life to the fullest. Healthy individuals contribute to a vibrant and productive society, which adds up to a productive and thriving country. According to Francis S. Collins, “The healthier the citizens of a country, the more effective the workforce.” Therefore, it would only make sense if the U.S. provided its citizens with healthcare that was free of cost. 

Making healthcare for citizens free would come with several advantages. First, if the United States switched to a single-payer, or “Medicare for all” model, taxes paid by citizens would directly fund the government’s medical services. This would ensure that citizens in the U.S. are being helped through the taxes they are filing. It would save unfortunate individuals from dying tragic deaths due to a lack of money needed for their medical insurance. It wouldn’t allow diseases to spread as people could get treated at an early stage of their illness. There would no longer be any financial firewalls to stand in the way of citizens receiving the care that they may need. Additionally, it would be more affordable. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, “Potential savings are on top of the estimated $438 billion the researchers estimated could be saved annually with universal health care in a non-pandemic year.” In other words, once healthcare is covered by the government, the price would, in a way, decrease. 

On the other hand, when implementing a ‘free-for-all’ healthcare plan, it would impose heavier taxes on citizens. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, “Universal health care could not be financed solely by increased taxes on the wealthy, and would be imposed on the middle class, and even rise to pay for it. “ Therefore, taxes could be imposed on employers or through a combination of direct or indirect taxes. It may not look like it, but the cost of a healthcare plan funded through taxes would pose a burden on the working population of the U.S. To a certain degree. There are rules in place to prevent this from happening, as one is taxed according to his or her income. According to ProCon.ORG, by enabling free medical care through tax money, “The demand for medical care would probably exceed the supply of care.” Wait times would increase for appointments and procedures as there aren’t nearly enough doctors to treat such large numbers of patients. Patients in need of urgent care would feel the urge to travel greater distances to receive medical care, which could severely worsen their condition. 

Living healthy lives and treating medical illnesses on time can help individuals live their lives to the fullest. Because healthcare and medical insurance in the U.S. are at staggering prices, many citizens turn away from them. Therefore, once healthcare is given through the government and funded through taxes, the price would be distributed among almost all of the citizens. That may raise the question of fairness and equality. One healthy individual may pay the same amount of money as a sick one, but end up never using the opportunity. In the end, it all boils down to the fact that universal health offers far more advantages than not.

Works Cited

The Editors of ProCon. “Universal Health Care.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., www.britannica.com/procon/universal-health-care-debate.

The Greatest Wealth Is Health, www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/greatest-wealth- health.

Tanne, Janice Hopkins. “US Needs Universal Access to Health Care, American College of Physicians Says.” BMJ : British Medical Journal, BMJ Publishing Group Ltd., 15 Dec. 2007, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2137072/.