NSG 3007 Week 5 Discussion-Healthcare System

NSG 3007 Week 5 Discussion-Healthcare System

Unsurprisingly, healthcare issues continue to be debated within the United States. Currently, America is one of the two industrialized countries that continue denying citizens access to universal healthcare (Black, 2014). South Africa, the only other country, has begun the conversion phases into a universal system and is likely to completely transform within the next eight years (Black, 2014). Even though healthcare expenses in the U.S. exceed all other countries, no improvements have been made to healthcare practices (Black, 2014). For this reason, many Americans have challenged the idea of providing universal healthcare to all citizens (Black, 2014). Many groups who oppose Healthcare Reform argue that this change would increase tax dollars and healthcare costs overall.

I feel that all citizens of this country should have a basic right to access appropriate healthcare. Compared to other countries, like Japan and Norway, which already have a universal healthcare system, the quality and success of healthcare practices in the United States are subpar (Black, 2014). This fact alone justifies my argument. The healthcare system that our country currently utilizes is not working. Of course, the more individuals covered by universal healthcare would drive up expenditures. However, healthcare expenditures continue to rise with the current system we have in place.

Fortunately, there have been several healthcare changes that have successfully impacted our country. While in office, President Obama implemented the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, which expanded CHIP coverage, allowing millions of additional children to obtain health coverage.

NSG 3007 Week 5 Discussion-Healthcare System

Obama also tried to prevent insurance companies from price gouging customers, limiting coverage costs and denials due to preexisting conditions (Black, 2014). These changes have assisted in reducing the number of citizens who had previously been unable to obtain coverage.

As a nurse, it is easy to understand the effects of the lack of healthcare coverage on the uninsured individual and the health facilities. Nonpayment for services rendered has driven additional disparities for many organizations. The access and overall quality of care have significantly suffered (Black, 2014). Without affordable healthcare, individuals are unable to maintain their health. This results in many hospital readmissions, which means facilities must overcome these additional expenditures. There is no way to come out on top…

I find it difficult to answer whether non-citizens should be granted universal coverage. Non-citizens bear additional hardships when attempting to obtain insurance coverage. This is due to more eligibility restrictions and this population’s enrollment barriers (Black, 2014). I do feel that, with legal immigration status, non-citizens should maintain the right to the same universal care that citizens do.

However, undocumented or unlawful citizens should not necessarily be granted the same conditions.

References

Black, B.P. (2014). Professional Nursing: Concepts & Challenges (8th. ed.). St. Louis: Saunders (ISBN: 9780323431125)

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NSG 3007 Week 5 Discussion-Healthcare System

Topic 1

Answer the following questions about access to quality healthcare: Is access to healthcare a basic right? Should any basic healthcare services be provided to all U.S. citizens? What about healthcare for U.S. residents who are not citizens? Who should pay for basic healthcare services? Provide rationales and resource support for your responses.