Question

Discuss why reform efforts to bring in national health insurance have historically been unsuccessful in the United States.

Your discussion should refer to the following:

• (a) the roles of organized medicine,
• (b) the impact on the middle class,
• (c) The role of American Society beliefs and values

Answer 1

AMA has opposed the national health insurance on the grounds it to be interference of government in the practice of medicine and socialized medicine. Since 1917 every major effort for expansion health access is opposed by AMA. They believed that reforms in national health insurance threatens to restrict the choice of patient by driving out private insurers, who currently provide coverage for approximately 70 percent of people in U.S.

The lack of national health insurance and high costs are linked intimately, both historically and economically. The American middle class has been averse for a rise in taxes to pay for national initiatives for the expansion of the health insurance coverage

The values and beliefs of Americans emphasize the principles of market justice. Under market justice, health care is categorised to be an economic good, health care services are based on purchasing power of a person; responsibility for health and rationing is based on their ability to pay. American ideologies are not in the favour of principles of social justice