Essay on "Obama Health Care Program"

Essay 4 pages (1439 words) Sources: 4

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Arguing that the opportunity still exists for large out-of-pocket expenses to be accumulated, such individuals argue that the Obama plan should have little or no impact on the rate of bankruptcy in America due to medical expenses.

One of the other concerns often expressed by opponents of the Obama plan is that it will result in the loss of the right to choose one's own physician. The almost familial relationship between patient and physician in the United States is valued by many and is something that many want to protect. The fear among many is that the introduction of the Obama plan will interfere with the perpetuation of these relationships.

Critics of the Obama plan, however, argue that the plan would cause a decline in the level of health care in America. One of the reasons why the United States enjoys such a high level of health care is the fact that there is a high profit incentive. Pharmaceutical and biotech companies work aggressively to develop new products in order to garner the large profits that accompany such products. Critics argue that Obama's plan would result in these new innovations being passed on to everyone equally and the lack of exclusivity would diminish profits which would eventually cause many businesses to leave the industry.

It is also argued that Obama's plan will result in extensive wait times to see specialists. The critics of the Obama plan point to the long delays in being able to see physicians in countries where plans similar to Obama's presently exist and such critics argue that this is the fate that awaits Americans once the Obama plan takes full effect. Additionally, the critics point to the problems inherent in the operation of the Medicare/Medicaid and Social Security programs and suggest that the same can be expected in the government's running of the health insurance industry.

With all the financial reasons offered for and against the Obama plan, there remains the humanitarian issue as well. Better health for everyone is a goal that most people would not argue against. One of the driving forces behind the enactment of the Obama plan was the fact that so many Americans were living without health insurance and that, as a result, they were not seeking medical care. Not surprisingly, a great percentage of these were children. Proving everyone with some form of health insurance through the Obama plan would serve to eliminate this problem. However, opponents argue that the surge caused by the entrance of so many individuals into the health care market will only serve to diminish the overall care for everyone. In a field that is already suffering from significant shortages of qualified personnel, the sudden rise in demand will only serve to stall the system and no one will be afforded adequate care. Although this appears like a harsh approach, supporters of the view point out that it is pragmatic one and one that must be considered.

The advantages and disadvantages mentioned herein are only a few of the arguments concerning Obama's health care plan. There are a variety of other arguments offered and more, both for and against the plan, appear every day. The viability of each varies but the issue is an acrimonious one and it is deeply dividing the nation. The debate can be expected to continue for some time and universal agreement is not likely. The best that can be hoped for is that the Obama plan will at least diminish the unfairness that presently exists and that the plan will provide coverage to those millions of Americans who have been living without coverage of any kind and that, in time, an acceptable solution is found.

Works Cited

American Medical Association. "Affordable Health Care for All Americans." Journal of the American Medical Association (2008): 1927-1928.

Balkin, Jack M. "The Constitutionality of the Individual Mandate for Health Insurance." New England Journal of Medicine (2010): 482-483.

Fein, Rashi. "Universal Health Insurance - Let the Debate Resume." Journal of the American Medical Association (2003): 818-820.

Hall, Mark A. "Commerce Clause Challenges to Health Care Reform." University of Pennsylvania Law Review (2011): 1825-1872.

Iglehart, John K. "Congressional Action on Health Care Reform - An Update." New England Journal of Medicine (2009): 2593-2595.

Retsinas, J. "COBRA: legislation and its import." Journal of Health Social Policy… READ MORE

How to Reference "Obama Health Care Program" Essay in a Bibliography

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