Universal Access to Health Care in U.S.

universal access to health care in U.S. population

Ethical Issues in Global Health: World Healthcare Organization a Fundamental Universal Health Care Enabling U.S. Population in Accessing Healthcare

The objective of this study is to examine ethical issues in global health care and specifically the World Healthcare Organization as being a fundamental in universal health care enabling the U.S. population in accessing healthcare. The work of Wright (2004) relates that the United States, in a comparison of several indicators of health "ranks in or near last place among industrialized nations of the world." (p.2) In addition, the United States has one of the world's highest rates of child mortality with eight deaths per 1,000 children under the age of five reported in 2002 as well as one of the shortest life expectancy rates in the world. (Wright, 2004, paraphrased) While the United States boasts the best in the world's choice of medical specialists, the truth is that many are unable to access those specialists. Barriers to health care access in the United States are reported to include such as lack of insurance, inability to pay deductible, and the inability to leave work of find child care so that doctor appointments can be kept. In a nation with the greatest in technological advances and the most excellent health care providers and specialists, the access to health care services is among the most limited.

Switzerland -- A Success Story

It is reported by the Swiss, in the work of Wright (2004) that Universal Health Care has resulted in the lowest mortality rate in the world among children in Switzerland, the highest age expectancy rates in the world. Sweden stands as a primary example to the United States as to what Universal Health Care may offer the population. Health insurance in the United States is reported as being "private, employer-based…[and having]…strict income or age requirements." (Wright, 2004, p.4)

Requirements for Success

All countries do not report the same success as does Sweden because there are long waiting lists to receive treatment in many countries and there are "single-payer systems or systems heavily weighted toward government control" which is reported to include such as rationing of health care, restrictions on the physician choices presenting to the public, waiting lists as well as other barriers present in health care access. (Cato Institute, 2009, paraphrased) Stated as the reason for success in national health care systems in countries such as the Netherlands, Switzerland and France is "the degree that they incorporate market mechanisms such as competition, cost-consciousness, market prices, and consumer choice." (Cato Institute, 2009, p.1)

Summary and Conclusion