Healthcare inequality in the United States and single-payer reform proposals

Healthcare System

The health system of the United States is deemed to be the most advanced and progressed in the world. In particular, the system encompasses medical centers all over the nation. However, one of the worrying aspects is that the system is not fully comprehensive and satisfying to the American citizens as a whole. The United States does not have a health system that is uniform, with universal coverage, and the current legislation obligating coverage is yet to be completely executed.

In accordance to an article by Oksman (2016), approximately more than 2,000 general practitioners and doctors are ordering and demanding for the institution of a universal health system that is run by the government in the United States. In particular, these physicians have the perspective that the Affordable Care Act that was established was not comprehensive with regard to eradicating barriers to accessing healthcare. Their plan demands for the execution of a sing-payer health system that is to some extent comparable to that of Canada, referred to as the National Health Program (Oksman, 2016). This health system is being proposed for the reason that it will guarantee healthcare for all residents. This new health system that is being suggested would be largely funded by existing funding from the U.S. government. In addition, the physicians draw attention to the fact that the United States government already recompenses for about 67% of all health care spending in the nation. Taking this into account, a single-payer health system would decrease administrative expenses, and therefore this transition would not necessitate considerable additional spending (Oksman, 2016).

The article by Powell (2016), points out that health inequality is part of the American life and is considerably entrenched with other social issues that analyses have problems asserting which factors are the cause and those which are the effect. Powell (2016) asserts that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that was signed into law by president Obama, made significant strides in decreasing the gap in coverage of health insurance. However, these progresses have this far resulted into restricted advances in making certain that there is accessibility to quality medical care and even less advancement in making diverse groups similarly healthy (Powell, 2016). In particular, health inequalities form along numerous societal problems, but analysts assert the earnest and most tenacious divide that environs income. The poor people in America, irrespective of their race, are sicker in comparison to wealthy and affluent Americans. They attain healthcare that is substandard, reside in poor housing and tainted environs and also have higher suicidal rates, violence and drug overdose (Powell, 2016).

The information contained within the articles is reliable. This is for the reason that the data and information collected and employed in the articles are not mere guesswork but rather from credible sources such as the Kaiser Family Foundation. The authors are also credible as they are well versed in matters related to health care. Taking this into consideration, both of the articles are credible and can be relied upon.