Construct and support an Argument on Health care

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Let's take a closer look at both sides of the argument for and against Universal Health care, which will help construct and support an argument on Health Care.

RESPONSE:

1. Need help with a paper on Constructing and supporting argument on Health Care.

Like all academic papers, of course, it will have the following:

I. Introduction (introduce topic and include purpose statement: The purpose of this paper is to...),
II. Body (arguments for or against Universal Health care)
III. Conclusion (restate purpose statement and sum up main points).

To help fill in this tentative outline, I have located an excellent resource that deals effectively with the arguments for and against universal health care in United States.

Health care costs are continually rising in the United States. On average, the United States "spends more on health care per person than for both food and housing." To add to this, other costs are plummeting over and above inflation, such as the costs of insurance premiums, which in turn impacts the economy negatively, preventing economic growth and leaving businesses "with less money to give raises or hire more workers. While the quality and availability of medical care in the United States remains among the best in the world, many wonder whether we'd be better off adopting a universal government-controlled health care system like the one used in Canada." (http://www.balancedpolitics.org/universal_health_care.htm)

According to this source, some of the arguments for Universal Health care include:

1. The number of uninsured citizens has grown to over 45 million (although this number includes illegal immigrants, etc.).
2. Health care has become increasingly unaffordable for businesses and individuals.
3. We can eliminate wasteful inefficiencies such as duplicate paper work, claim approval, insurance submission, etc.
4. We can develop a centralized national database which makes diagnosis and treatment easier for doctors.
5. Medical professionals can concentrate on healing the patient rather than on insurance procedures, malpractice liability, etc.
6. Free medical services would encourage patients to practice preventive medicine and inquire about problems early when treatment will be light; currently, patients often avoid physicals and other preventive measures because of the costs.
7. Patients with pre-existing conditions can still get health coverage. (http://www.balancedpolitics.org/universal_health_care.htm) (the excerpt at the end of this response expands on each of these points)

On the flip side, the arguments presented against Universal health care include:

1. There isn't a single government agency or division that runs efficiently; do we really want an organization that developed the U.S. Tax Code handling something as complex as health care?
2. "Free" health care isn't really free since we must pay for it with taxes; expenses for health care would have to be paid for with higher taxes or spending cuts in other areas such as defense, education, etc.
3. Profit motives, competition, and individual ingenuity have always led to greater cost control and effectiveness.
4. Government-controlled health care would lead to a decrease in patient flexibility.
5. Patients aren't likely to curb their drug costs and doctor visits if health care is free; thus, total costs will be several times what they are now.
6. Just because Americans are uninsured doesn't mean they can't receive health care; nonprofits and government-run hospitals provide services to those who don't have insurance, and it is illegal to refuse emergency medical service because of a lack of insurance.
7. Government-mandated procedures will likely reduce doctor flexibility and lead to poor patient care.
8. Healthy people who take care of themselves will have to pay for the burden of those who smoke, are obese, etc.
9. A long, painful transition will have to take place involving lost insurance industry jobs, business closures, and new patient record creation.
10. Loss of private practice options and possible reduced pay may dissuade many would-be doctors from pursuing the profession.
11. Malpractice lawsuit costs, which are already sky-high, could further explode since universal care may expose the government to legal liability, and the possibility to sue someone with deep pockets usually invites more lawsuits.
12. Government is more likely to pass additional restrictions or increase taxes on smoking, fast food, etc., leading to a further loss of personal freedoms.
13. Patient confidentiality is likely to be compromised since centralized health information will likely be maintained by the government.
14. Health care equipment, drugs, and services may end up being rationed by the government. In other words, politics, lifestyle of patients, and philosophical differences of those in power, could determine who gets what.
15. Patients may be subjected to extremely long waits for treatment.
16. Like social security, any government benefit eventually is taken as a "right" by the public, meaning that it's politically near impossible to remove or curtail it later on when costs get out of control. (http://www.balancedpolitics.org/universal_health_care.htm)

The following excerpt expands on each of the above arguments, which you can draw on for your position you take in your paper.

EXTRA INFORMATION: (excerpt)

Arguments for universal health care in United States:

? The number of uninsured citizens has grown to over 45 million (although this number includes illegal immigrants, etc.). Since health care premiums continue to grow at several times the rate of inflation, many businesses are simply choosing to not offer a health plan, or if they do, to pass on more of the cost to employees. Employees facing higher costs themselves are often choosing to go without health coverage. No health insurance doesn't necessarily mean no health care since there are many clinics and services that are free to indigent individuals. However, any costs not covered by insurance must be absorbed by all the rest of us, which means even higher premiums. In all fairness, the 45 million uninsured number has been called into question since in includes illegal immigrants, people making over $75K who choose not to buy coverage, and others who have options for coverage but choose not to get it. The true number of people without options is closer to 15 million.

? Health care has become increasingly unaffordable for businesses and individuals. Businesses and individuals that choose to keep their health plans still must pay a much higher amount. Remember, businesses only have a certain amount of money ...