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The Pros And Cons Of The Health Care Debate

By: Nick Messe


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With emotions running high surrounding the health care issue, it's no surprise that the debate continues to remain at center stage of political circles. However, average citizens may be confused and uncertain about what the proposed legislation will mean for their own lives. There are pros and cons to each side of the argument when it comes to the health care debate. Understanding each position can help the average layperson make a more informed decision for themselves.

You hear the terms health care and health insurance all the time, but what exactly do they mean? This is a simple definition that must be made before continuing any discussion. However the terms tend to be used interchangeably in many circles. Health care is the ability to receive services from a doctor, nurse or hospital.

In American, nobody is denied health care. However, the financial fallout can be devastating after the fact. Health insurance provides a way to manage and mitigate the costs of health care. If it works, it's great, but in practice, that isn't always the case. Advocates of the proposal currently being introduced claim that access to quality health care is a basic human right.

Nobody should be allowed to suffer because they can't afford to buy insurance or see a doctor and this is the basic point of health care reform. Another common point being made is that the health insurance companies are inefficient and that the system encourages waste and corruption. By upsetting the status quo, the claim is that more people will be given treatment that is fairer to the average consumer. With money out of the picture, companies will be able to focus on treatment and better service.

The opposing side of the debate is equally as passionate about their stance. Personal freedom is the biggest reason for being against the current proposals. People feel that putting the government in the middle of the equation is a recipe for disaster. They point to other government programs that promised big and did not deliver, such as Social Security and Medicare.

Another concern is the projected cost. Most government proposals don't stay within the bounds of the original bill and this one is already going to be extremely expensive. Opponents also point out that the actual cost is being hidden and under reported. With the economy already in such dire straits, the ability to afford the new services is a real worry. This has the potential to impact small business, an area of the economy that sorely needs assistance.

Finally, opponents of the government reform proposals firmly believe in the power of a competitive market. Whether one is a small business consultant or a huge drug company, competition and monetary reward drive inventiveness, according to the traditional mindset. By removing this factor of competition, opponents believe that the new system will be built much like a house of cards, that will eventually collapse under its own weight.

Whether the American lawmakers on both sides of the aisle will be able to reconcile is yet to be seen. However, we can look to other countries and see what the possibilities are on both sides of the issue. Democratic countries as varied as Canada, France and England use some sort of centralized plan for the health care of their citizens, but clearly none of these systems are perfect.

The most effective plan may very well offer a combination of public and private options. Studying these programs can help voters become more educated and have a better idea of what to advise to their own representatives as the process unfolds.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Nick Messe is president of Lead Frog LLC. Joe Abraham is a small business consultant with expertise in all the key areas of small business growth including business startup, business development, traffic generation, sales development, marketing and succession planning. Unlike many self-proclaimed small business gurus he has actually built several successful small businesses from the ground up.

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