This post is in response to the question, “What are the advantages and disadvantages of universal healthcare?” by
Though I am no expert in the intricacies of universal healthcare, I do believe that there are far more disadvantages to it than there are advantages. One disadvantage of universal healthcare could possibly include the increased difficulty to receive care in a timely manner. If healthcare were free, then the demand would rise as all the people who previously could not afford it are now flooding the market. This is obviously not a bad thing in itself because everyone deserves to receive healthcare. I just think it would strain the market because it takes so long for new generations of medical providers to emerge. Medical boards would potentially have to lower to the barriers to the profession in order to satisfy demand. This would result in an increase of under-qualified providers. Another disadvantage of universal healthcare would be just one more thing in the government’s control, rather than our own. Would there still be such a thing as HIPPA? Could the government have unrestricted access to our medical records? I know this does not automatically mean negative consequences, but I believe that over time it could. What will stop the government from being able to enforce new policies that it previously could not? For example, would it be able to force us all to receive a vaccine? While this is all hypothetical (and possibly irrational), it could all still become very real. I don’t think opening the floodgates would be worth it.
Though I am opposed to universal healthcare, I am not immune to the attraction of it that many people see. In a perfect world, I would want everyone to receive the medical care that they need without restriction. Everyone deserves to be able to live out a happy and healthy life. I believe our death rates would greatly reduce due to widely available advanced screening procedures. All of this sounds great, but I’m not sure it is possible without handing too much power to the government.