The Advantages and Disadvantages of Free Health Care
The COVID-19 pandemic made us realize the importance of having a high-quality health
care system. The following are some of the countries that already put an emphasis on free or
universal healthcare: Australia, Japan, and Spain. The citizens of these countries have access to
free health care services when they need them. However, some standards and qualifications should
be met before receiving the benefits of free health care. Moreover, free health care does not
necessarily mean that it is free of charge; it is a subsidized program that means citizens will still
be required to pay, but it is less expensive since half of the payment will come from the taxpayers’
money (Cronin, n.d.).
Free health care has its pros and cons. One of its disadvantages is the possibility of having
poor quality services since the waiting time for elective surgeries can be lengthy-- which I can
attest-- as it prioritizes people in need of basic and emergency health care. Another drawback is
the tendency of overcrowding in hospitals; this situation can be expected as there is a lower
financial incentive to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Some citizens will also have the opportunity to
overuse the services provided for them. On the other hand, free health care reduces the overall
health care cost that will be less of a burden for the citizens since the government regulates and
negotiates the pricing. Moreover, it guides people to invest more in health care leading to a better
and healthier lifestyle choice (Amadeo, 2021). The benefits offered by free health care have made
some citizens express their gratitude and exhilaration by repeatedly saying, “Thank you, God!”
With the ongoing pandemic, more and more people require medical services. Having free
health care is a sigh of relief, especially to the poor population. However, there is still a need to
improve health care services, and this can be achieved if the government will allocate more funding
to the health care industry.
Reference:
Cronin, J. (n.d.). Countries with Free or Universal Healthcare. Retrieved August 4, 2021 from
https://www.internationalinsurance.com/health/countries-free-healthcare.php.
Amadeo, K. (2021). What is Universal Health Care? Retrieved August 4, 2021 from
https://www.thebalance.com/universal-health-care-4156211.