Universal health care has been shunned in the United States primarily due to huge amounts of fear and industry and special-interest generated misinformation. Direct service universal health care ensures 100% of Americans, regardless of income, employment status or geographic location can receive the treatment they need. And, it can do so far more affordably and efficiently than the insurance-based model. 

 

Is Universal Health Care a form of Socialism?

It’s important to understand terms like capitalism, socialism, communism and fascism. In today’s world of social media, these terms are often used loosely and incorrectly. In fact, capitalism calls for implementing the most cost-effective, efficient services. In this case, a direct service universal health care system owned and operated by the United States answers capitalism’s requirements because it inevitably is more affordable, and has more readily predicable outcomes.

Single System Direct Service Universal Health Care is the best “capitalist” choice. 

Capitalism calls for businesses and governments to utilize the most innovative, efficient and affordable mechanisms to meet their goals. The insurance model drives up costs for Americans and requires ever-increasing government and taxpayer subsidies. In order to reduce costs, ensure 100% of Americans can access health care, and to support public health (particularly during large-scales events such as COVID-19) the direct service universal health care model is the best strategy. In fact, it is capitalism itself that calls upon the United States to enter the health care market.

 

What about Medicare for All or Single Payer?           

“Medicare for All” is a form of universal health care insurance, not universal health care. As with the current insurance-based model, this means costs are likely to continue to rise for governments and taxpayers. In addition, “Medicare for All” does not provide for a coordinated system, which means in cases like COVID-19, private providers would still be competing with other providers, as well as federal, state and local governments, for equipment, funding and supplies. A direct service universal health care system eliminates the challenges associated with insurance-based models, including the inability for private providers to coordinate nationally during a pandemic.

Similarly, “Single Payer” is neither a health care service nor health insurance. It is an expensive, consolidated accounting system that presents challenges to private providers and patients. Both “Medicare for All” and “Single Payer” require vast government and taxpayer subsidies without guaranteeing health care services for 100% Americans. Direct service universal health care is the only model that will guarantee 100% of Americans can access health care services regardless of income, employment status or geographic location, and allows for rapid, real-time national coordination efforts in the face of a pandemic like COVID-19.

 

But what if I don’t want to pay for other people’s health care?

It is important to remember this model is a universal health care system. Taxpayers pay for the system to be available to all Americans, including themselves, rather than for an individual’s personal needs. The model is similar to federal, local and state transportation systems. When Americans pay gas taxes or vehicle registration taxes, they are paying for the transportation system to be available, not for another individual’s transportation. Subsequently, a person is then able to use as much or as little of the transportation system as they need. In addition, because the direct service universal health care model is based on a federal sales tax, everyone chips in. Even a person who receives an allowance contributes to the health care system when they purchase a pack of gum.

 

But wasn’t there concern about Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals ran by the United States?

It is likely a better model for local communities to employ professionals who specialize in Veteran Care than to have a separate system. This ensures Veterans receive a baseline standard provided to all Americans, as well as specialized care necessary to address Veteran-specific concerns.

 

There is already a shortage of medical professionals. How would this impact that problem? 

By establishing a health care system that allows medical professionals to focus on patient care and medical and mental health care advancements, rather than profit-based outcomes, the health care industry will likely see an increase in interested professionals. In addition, by establishing a robust health care system, the United States will be able to provide employee incentives that might not currently be available to private-sector employees. For example, the United States military often provides for tuition-reimbursement or student loan payoffs when members enlist for certain periods of time.

 

Health care is not a right; How can we be entitled to other people’s labor? 

Unfortunately, this concern is often used out of context. Using the same line of thinking, it could be said the United States should not have a military. However, the United States has chosen to provide this service, and thus, pays those who serve.  The same is true for a direct service universal health care system.

 

Won’t private providers be put out of business?

No. It is possible many hospitals and private practices will be bought out by the United States Corporation for Public Health & Wellness. However, those who work in the health care industry are likely to continue to do so. As importantly, they are likely to work in environments that provide greater protections and economic security than the previous model.

It is also likely new business models will emerge. For example, there are doctors today who only charge $35.00 per visit. However, labs, x-rays and other tests are often additional expenses which present challenges for patients who need to take advantage of lower cost providers to begin with. A direct service universal health care system will allow more private doctors to operate this way, or similar, because additional tests and even prescriptions will be provided by the United States Corporation for Public Health & Wellness. Simply put, the establishment of a direct service universal health care system will allow even more private practice providers to enter the market because additional needs like labs, x-rays, etc., will be covered by the direct service universal health care system.

In addition, there will always be Americans who prefer to do business with small or private providers simply because they do not want to do business with the government. This will remain a cornerstone of the United States’ free market system.

Consider for a moment the United States Postal Service. Because the USPS provide the main infrastructure for mailing and delivery services across the country, private sector businesses like FedEx, UPS and many others can operate and compete in the market. This is what the USCPHW can do for health care as well. 

 

What if I don’t want the government to have my medical information?

Establishing the United States Corporation for Public Health & Wellness as an independent agency of the United States creates a barrier between the “government” and the service. For example, when you use the United States Post Office, the government is not entitled to read your mail. HIPAA and 4th Amendment Protections still apply, and likely even more so, to the United States Corporation for Public Health & Wellness. In addition, lawmakers can establish additional shields between medical information and public records.

 

What if I like my current insurance (or Medicare/Medicaid)?

Unfortunately, the current insurance model must be subsidized by taxpayers, as well as other industries, at great expense. In addition, the insurance model still leaves more than 30 million Americans uncovered. This means in order to keep the current insurance model, millions of Americans, including children and families, face chronic illness and even death each year. There is no reason for any American to suffer when a more holistic, efficient and affordable model is available.

 

What about currently “controversial treatments”, such as abortion, or gender reassignment surgery?

Universal health care is designed to ensure access to basic primary health care services, life-saving procedures and ethical treatments (including mental health care services) for 100% of Americans. The United States Corporation for Public Health & Wellness will need to establish protocols for determining what is “essential”. It should be noted, however, that other countries view many “controversial treatments” in the United States as basic health care in their national health care systems already. 

 

What about death panels?

In the 2008 elections, during the last major health care reform movement, many people spoke about “death panels” in which they envisioned politicians sitting around trying to determine who should or should not get care. Ironically, this is actually what happens today with medical professionals often being called up to make decisions based on payer, rather than patient needs. The United States Corporation for Public Health & Wellness answers directly to the American people, and is guided by a governing board, and thousands of regional advisory boards which eliminates the possibility of “death panels”. Patient needs and health outcomes are automatically able to be prioritized over payments.

 

Other countries have nationalized health care, and some people don’t like it, or they have to wait for treatment. How do we address that? 

In the United States, if an American does not have access to private or public health insurance, they could be made to wait forever, and this includes many of America’s most vulnerable populations. The U.S. Corporation for Public Health & Wellness (USCPHW) addresses many of these concerns by becoming a part of the industry, rather than “nationalizing” it. In addition, the USCPHW has the ability to learn from other nations and avoid potential pitfalls at the outset. 

 

Wouldn’t it be better for states to do this, rather than the federal government?

If some states provide universal health care and others do not, this means the federal government will still be called upon to fill in the gaps. For example, if a person living in Colorado traveled to Ohio for vacation and became ill during the trip, how would their Colorado-only universal health care be used to pay for services in Ohio? In addition, COVID-19 demonstrates that having 50 (or more when including territories) health care systems competing for supplies and services is not beneficial to the health and well-being of the American people as a whole. The United States Corporation for Public Health & Wellness addresses all of these concerns.

 

It will cost too much, won’t it? 

No. The Single System Direct Service Universal Health Care Model is the most cost effective model, and saves Americans and taxpayers money. In fact, it removes all of the following: 

• Medicare/Medicaid Payroll Taxes
• Monthly health insurance premiums
• Annual out-of-pocket expenses
• Co-pays
• Health coverage included in auto and homeowner’s insurance
• Other hidden health care charges

 

But “they’ll never do it”.

The “they” is us. If you want a single system direct service universal health care system in the United States, it only takes 5 minutes to call, email or send a letter to your U.S. House Representative and U.S. Senators. Take the time to do it today.