Healthcare System: Private or Public Sector, Essay Example

In my opinion it is far better for the Public Sector to govern the national health system.  We already have excellent examples of a National Health System in both the UK and Canada. These tend to provide a more equitable and standard base of healthcare for all sectors of society i.e. the rich and the poor.  Private Sector companies tend be more focused on the achievement of profit as opposed to the quality of the service provided; this tends to benefit the more affluent members of the community and not the poorer areas or less affluent people. It is this latter category like the elderly, the unemployed, the poor and people living in deprived communities that suffer the most.  Private medicine will always be available for those that can afford it, however the emphasis should be placed upon a more equitable system that provides adequate coverage and benefits for all members of society.

In the UK the NHS provides an equitable medical care service free of charge to all UK citizens that are resident in the UK.  (Monetos, 2011).  The NHS system is under consistent quality review in order to ensure that it maintains a high level of service. Similar services operate in both Australia and Canada.  These provide a basic model for a National Healthcare system that could operate in the USA.  An estimated 50 million Americans lack adequate medical insurance and coverage. It is estimated that 18,000 die each year because of a lack of a universal healthcare system and inadequate insurance coverage. A Harris poll conducted in 2005 indicated that 75% of Americans wanted a national health care system. As to date the US Government does not seem willing to pursue that line of enquiry. (Doug Pibel, 2006).

The US is the only industrialised nation that does not provide a right of medical care as an integral part of its citizenship. The USA ranks poorly to other nations that have implemented a National Health Care system.  The model exists but there needs a political will to implement this. (John R. Battista, 1999)

Works Cited

Doug Pibel, S. v. (2006, 7 19). Health Care: It’s What Ails Us. Retrieved 7 6, 2011, from Yes Magazine: http://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/health-care-for-all/health-care-its-what-ails-us

John R. Battista, M. a. (1999, 6 4). The Case For Single Payer, Universal Health Care For The United States. Retrieved 7 6, 2011, from Connecticut Coalition for universal healthcare: http://cthealth.server101.com/the_case_for_universal_health_care_in_the_united_states.htm

Monetos. (2011). Advantages of the NHS. Retrieved 7 6, 2011, from Monetos: http://www.monetos.co.uk/insurance/health-insurance/nhs/advantages/