What are your feelings about the present state of health care in the US?
The health care system in the U.S., like many other health care systems worldwide, is not perfect. Most health care systems have their flaws, but they also have their strong points. One of the weaknesses of U.S. health care is that you get the services that you pay for. Those who have no insurance coverage or not so good coverage may only be allowed to have procedures that are absolutely necessary and still may have to pay out of their pocket leaving them in financial difficulties. Also if people do not have access to health insurance they may not have a choice of hospitals or physicians that they can use. These patients have to take what medical care they can get or where they can get it. In doing so, many Americans are less likely to visit physicians or hospitals for preventative or urgent medical care and usually end up a lot more ill than people with health coverage. Another weakness is the cost of insurance and prescription drug coverage. Even people that have these coverages still may not be able to afford their premiums, deductibles, co payments, and prescription drug costs. In turn, many Americans do not regularly visit doctors and do not properly take their prescription medicines because they cannot afford them. The great thing about the heath care in the U.S. is that we, compared to other countries, are very advanced in medicine. We have physicians that are highly skilled and all the new medical technologies to diagnose disease. We perform some of the most amazing procedures that would not be performed elsewhere. Again, though, you get what you pay for and not all Americans can utilize this nation's great medical technologies. We have some great health care here in the U.S. , but there is always room for improvement. All Americans should be allowed access to this great health care whether young, old, rich, or poor.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you completely, US health care system is not perfect, changes do need to be considered. Especially for people without coverage, and senior citizens that can't afford to buy expensive prescriptions. It is a complex problem that has no easy answer, we know we need some new ideas to improve the system. Judy M
Hi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteIt is an unfortunate reality that health care in the USA essentially squeezes out the middle class who are too wealthy to qualify for assistance, yet to poor to pay the high medical costs needed for quality health care. I believe that the government will have to step in to help manage the cost of health care. Leaving things status quo is not the solution. And, you are right about the drug coverage, even if we have health care insurance many times the medications are so cost prohibitive, we go without it. My mom is a 72 year old diabetic with high blood pressure, thyroid problems and other health issues. She relies on her medicines to keep her healthy and delay any disease progression. Yet she is having a very hard time affording her medicines. She has switched doctors 4 times in two years, due to their high office visit costs. She is responsible for 20% of whatever the doctor charges, and they charge plenty.
I am glad that our state covers children health with SCHIP that should help keep our young generation somewhat healthy. If as a nation we don’t reform of our health care system properly, our future does not look promising.
Jennifer
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right no system is perfect. I believe that the US health care system has room for significant improvement. The cost of medical attention and prescription drugs is outrageous. While watching the video "sick around the world" it made me wonder if capping our costs would be beneficial. In other countries it seemed that the population could afford medical treatments and drugs due to the government capping the price that a doctor or pharmacy could charge. I hope that with all the talk of health care reform in the US we are able to get to a place were all Americans can have affordable health coverage.
HI, Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteEverything you said about health care coverage in the U.S is absolutely true. There is good health coverage out her but not many people can afford it. I have health insurance through my job, but the deductible that I had to meet was to high for me. In order for me to get my first doctor's visit I had to pay a deductible of $100.00 and for a 22 year old like myself and in college it was very hard for me to come up with that kind of money. It took me a month to get my deductible to have my first prenatal visit with a doctor. I believe that the government is doing well, but there is more that they can do for the middle and lower class. Also about the prescription drugs you are right because some insurances only cover so much, and it is very costly especially when trying to buy a inhaler. I totally agreee with what you said and something better needs to be done.