Universal healthcare coverage versus private sector reform in America

Healthcare Reform: Recommendations and Analysis

Wells Fargo Small Business Roundup vs. The Physicians Working Group (PWG)

According to the privately-run bank Wells Fargo's website that supports small business interests, universal single-payer health insurance is not feasible in the United States. Unsurprisingly, the bank wants as little government intervention as possible. "To the greatest extent possible, Americans should receive their health insurance and health care through the private sector. One-size-fits-all insurance and care are not wise options in a nation of 300 million people. We need better health care delivery models, financial management systems and risk-sharing arrangements" (Wells Fargo Small Business Roundup, 2008, Reforming health care reform). However, the Physicians Working Group (PWG) counters that the simplicity of the universal payer system and its effectiveness of achieving universal coverage has its advantages. "Administrative costs would undoubtedly be much lower than they are now, although it is a mistake to think that low administrative costs are always conducive to low overall cost" (Fuchs & Emanuel 2005)

Analysis: President Obama has not adopted universal, single payer system along the lines of the Canadian and United Kingdom healthcare systems.

Recommendation 3: The Houston Chronicle

The Chronicle also points out that obesity rates are climbing, contributing to a rise in chronic health conditions that tap the resources of the healthcare system (Universal care: The United States' system of health care delivery is inadequate, broken and needs to be replaced, 2007, The Houston Chronicle). Even if universal coverage is achieved, there is still a need for greater self-care and preventative medicine.

Analysis: While the new healthcare law does not specifically address obesity, other aspects of the Obama Administration's policies, like Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign, have been designed to promote healthy eating. Indirectly, forcing people to have some form of health insurance will encourage more frequent use of preventative care like check-ups, with the hopes the physicians will alter patients about the likelihood of developing chronic conditions before these conditions become intractable.