Universal healthcare for all Americans. This is a topic that Senator Bernie Sanders and Senator Elizabeth Warren brought to the forefront in the Democratic Debates, provoking heated discussions amongst Republicans, Moderate Democrats, and Far-Left Democrats alike. Although both Senator Sanders and Senator Warren have dropped out of the race, paving the way for former Vice President Joe Biden to be the Democratic Presidential Nominee, the issue of universal healthcare is more relevant than ever, having gained traction amongst many Americans in recent years and being spotlighted due to the Coronavirus outbreak. In our current climate of Coronavirus, some uninsured families are facing up to $75,000 in hospital bills, making the debate over universal healthcare a highly important issue.

The basic design of universal healthcare allows for every American to have access to quality healthcare when they need it, regardless of their income or age. At the moment, Americans over the age of 65, low-income households with children, and people with disabilities qualify for the health insurance program called Medicare. Universal healthcare (sometimes called “Medicare for All”,” acts in a similar manner to Medicare, but it would be for all ages and socio-economics, and because everyone would be covered, it would eliminate the need for private health insurance. At the moment, wealthier members of society or those with better health insurance are prioritized when it comes to hospital visits and elective medical procedures. In addition, uninsured citizens or citizens with government issued, poor health insurance, would no longer struggle to pay their medical bills,or  even avoid necessary treatment due to their lack of coverage.

A large issue with the current medical system is the private insurance system. With high deductibles and copays as well as pricey insurance premiums, only people who can afford quality insurance, or are provided with quality health insurance through their employers are able to pay for the type of medical attention that they require. The healthcare system primarily benefits the upper classes. From prescriptions to check-ups, many people with poor insurance or no insurance are unable to afford their basic medical necessities. In addition, because companies with 50 or more employees are required to give their employees health insurance, companies will often provide them with the most affordable, and therefore lowest quality, health insurance. With universal healthcare, universal healthcare would eliminate the need for insurance. This would include not only medical insurance, but also dental, hearing, and vision insurance.

With the elimination of insurance, “500 billion dollars annually” would be saved in “billing and administration costs”, according to Senator Sanders. Doctors, nurses, and administrators spend hours out of their day filling out the necessary paperwork to charge patients’ insurance companies with the hospital bills, using up valuable time that could be spent with patients. In addition, businesses would no longer need to spend time and money providing their employees with health insurance; this would allow owners to meet with investors, remodel, or invest their money in stocks, overall improving their businesses and communities.

Meanwhile, under the universal healthcare bill, prescription drugs will be made affordable by the government placing tight restrictions on major drug companies, saving citizens billions of dollars annually. These companies, which have profited immensely from overcharging for medications, will be forced through competition from generic drug manufacturers to lower the prices for prescription drugs. In addition, the government would provide funding for those members of society who cannot afford the lowered drug prices, ensuring that everyone from all walks of life receive the proper treatments they require.

The financial and humanitarian benefits of universal healthcare outweigh the disadvantages that this bill would create. Billions of dollars would be saved through both insurance expenses and prescription drugs, and all citizens will be provided with the care they need, without fear of debt. Not only will universal healthcare help the citizens, but it will also benefit the economy. Hospitals will be able to spend more time assessing patients and less time filling out insurance forms, and businesses will have less overhead because they will no longer need to provide their employees with quality healthcare. universal healthcare is inexplicably the next step America needs to take in order to create a more successful and healthy future.