Private vs. Public Healthcare
Taylor Tollefson
SLCC Personal Finance 1050
Period 6
Private vs. Public Healthcare
Introduction:
Over the weekend, I was experiencing some intense stomach pain. Once I realized the
pain wasn’t subsiding, we were off to the hospital. After a couple of hours of tests, the results
came back, I had appendicitis. The surgery went well and I was discharged not long after. The
experience was everything I could ask for but it would have been a lot more stressful if I didn’t
have healthcare insurance.
Healthcare is defined as the maintenance and improvement of physical and mental
health, especially through the provision of medical services. But not everyone can afford to pay
for their services needed. That is where the debate between Public and Private Healthcare
comes into effect. Each provider of healthcare comes with its’ own outcomes.
The US Healthcare System:
In the US we have a capitalist economy, which means that private businesses are able to
compete for the best services. Since healthcare is mainly owned and operated through private
businesses, they are able to charge their patients whatever they want. This left a gap of citizens
uninsured. Many citizens received insurance through their family’s employer and the upper
class didn’t worry about the rising prices. The government provided Medicare and Medicaid for
the elderly and low incoming citizens, but many people were either making too much and
couldn’t qualify or too little to afford their own care.
This is where the Affordable Healthcare Act comes into play. This Act gave low income
citizens the healthcare they needed. Since more people are able to afford healthcare, the
insurance companies raised their monthly premiums which was hurting the middle class.
Similar bills were then passed and put into action, but they didn’t solve the unexpected
problems.
Norwegian Healthcare System:
In Norway, most of the hospitals and medical services are run by the government; this
gives the government freedom to make a standard price for all healthcare. Since the majority
of hospitals are under federal rule, it gives each citizen the chance for equal care no matter
your income.
The National Insurance Scheme (NIS) covers anyone who is either a resident or
employed in Norway. Everyone with insurance receives free in-patient hospital care; all drugs
and treatments are covered. The NIS highly subsidizes copayments which leaves its citizens
only responsible for a small copayment at the end of treatment. Any copayments that exceed
more than $263.63 are also subsidized by the government.
Comparison:
In comparison, the Norwegian healthcare system provides insurance for all legal
residents and employees while the US only provides insurance for the elderly and those with
low income. Most prescriptions in Norway are funded by the government and all treatments
are highly subsidized. In the US you are responsible to pay for any prescriptions drugs unless
you have help from an insurance company. Along with prescription drugs, citizens in the US are
left with high copays that often leave people in debt. In Norway, all residents have little to no
copays which make healthcare cheap and affordable.
Conclusion:
A public healthcare system will be the best route for the United States. Since private
hospitals and clinics will not be able to raise their prices, it will leave citizens with equal care
and equal pay. If we follow the Norwegian footsteps, there wouldn’t be anyone declaring
bankruptcy over medical bills. Despite our capitalist economy, a public healthcare sytem is the
direction we need to be heading.
References:
Health Care Statistics in the United States. (n.d.). Retrieved December 15, 2014, from
http://www.healthpaconline.net/health-care-statistics-in-the-united-states.htm
Health Care. (n.d.). Retrieved December 15, 2014, from http://www.nhh.no/en/aboutnhh/living-in-norway/health-care.aspx
Health Care Around the World: Norway « Healthcare Economist. (n.d.). Retrieved December 15,
2014, from http://healthcare-economist.com/2008/04/18/health-care-around-the-worldnorway/