Health care and government policy

Healthcare and Government

There are three major problems to the idea of universal healthcare for all American citizens. The first problem is that of the immense cost of healthcare in the U.S., attributing for about 1/6th of the U.S. economy. (Centers, 2012) This immense problem requires expensive insurance to be applied to nearly every working American, which is intended to help overcome medical costs with mass cost distribution. This only works when every member of the system contributes his or her fair share of the cost over a long period of time, a requirement that excludes tens of millions of unemployed and underfinanced Americans.

The second issue of health care is the fact that all elderly citizens already receive massive social security benefits through Medicare. (Kaiser, 2012) Society has taken the burden of their age unto itself for nearly a century, and this is seen as a burden placed on any civilized nation. This fact means that the issue is highly debated and seen as the premier political issue of every American over the age of 65. (Expenditure, 2012) This merciful act is taken because of a simple fact; these elderly are deemed too old to work. Americans younger than 65 have an expectation of work placed on them in order to receive medical care at 65.