US Health: A Failed System (ePub)

Health has been one of the most frequent issues arising in the Social Policy debate for the last 60 or more years. The answers given vary according to political ideology, economic expediency, and the moral standing of individuals and society. The sources of funding are essentially two: either the individual directly, or a larger group acting on his behalf. In the second case, we have two main categories. The individual is either covered by private for-profit insurance, or by a public insurance scheme financed by mandatory employment contributions and/or by taxes on income and/or wealth. The economic implications of each form of health insurance are immense—for individuals, employers, the government, and for the economy as a whole. The main differentiation is the position of health care in the value system of society. If health care is considered a right, its financing must be similar to that of other public goods or rights such as justice, national security, personal safety, basic education, etc. At the same time, the provision of all public goods is a public responsibility and government is judged by how well it measures up to this responsibility. If, on the other hand, health care is considered a good, bought and sold on the market, then it is up to individuals to provide for themselves. Obviously, this fundamental issue belongs to the sphere of politics and is up to society to judge, according to its code of ethics. The time to decide has come in America, somewhat belatedly, but in a way more acute than ever. The health of individuals, but also and mainly the economic health of the nation, depends on the decision.