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Universal Healthcare

Universal Healthcare

Healthcare reform is needed now. Skyrocketing healthcare costs and insurance premiums have put basic healthcare coverage out of reach for many Americans. Approximately 46 million Americans were without health insurance in 2004 (National Coalition on Health Care, 2004). Many people do not realize that the United States is the only industrialized nation without some form of national healthcare insurance. According to DeMoro (2004, para 18), “Fundamental overhaul is the only effective avenue to transforming our current profit and market-driven healthcare industry into a more humane healthcare system based on safe, therapeutic care for everyone.” Universal healthcare would ensure that all individuals would have access to free healthcare services regardless of their employment, income, or health care status (Conyers, Jr. 2005). The American Nurses Association (ANA) is also committed to comprehensive health care reform that will ensure universal access to health care (ANA, 2005).
Proposed legislation for universal healthcare was introduced in 2003 by Representative Conyers. Conyers introduced HR 676, “The United States National Health Insurance (USNHI)” Act. The bill, HR 676, establishes a publicly financed, privately delivered, single-payer, American national health insurance program. (Conyers, Jr. 2005). The goal of the bill is to ensure that all Americans have access to the same standard of care. The program would use the already existing Medicare system by expanding and improving it to cover all U.S. residents (Conyers, Jr.). The following is a brief summary of the bill:
• Every person living in the United States or U.S territories is eligible and would receive a USNHI card and ID number once enrolled in the program.
• The program will cover all medically necessary services, including primary care, inpatient care, emergency care, outpatient care, prescription drugs, durable medical equipment, long-term care, mental health...