Too Radical for America

Although I do not disagree with Michael Moore's proposal of gutting America's current health care insurance infrastructure and replacing it with a single payer system, I do disagree with his fervor for immediate change. Americans as a whole have not been the most receptive people in adapting to quick change. Many of our outdated laws are still upheld, we were the far behind other cultures in adopting technology, and in general change is scary to our country. Obama's current plan to merely supplement the gaping hole in our current health insurance scheme has been met with huge opposition and accusations of socialism. If it were even possible for Michael Moore's idea to pass through the steps of the Senate, Congress, and other legislative bodies, the American people would inevitably panic. Drafting a comprehensive health care system in a bill would be extremely difficult. Re-organizing current employer-based insurance programs, government social insurance, and other systems would be a complete nightmare. Integrating the American health care system into a single payor model would be a serious challenge and I hope to one day see the transition. For now, it is not realistic for our health care system to do 180 degree flip. Drastic changes should occur gradually. If we were to immediately change the system, many negative consequences may occur that would outweigh the initial benefits.

If in the far future after Obama's plan for reform has been long implemented and Americans as a whole have come to realize the benefits of universal health care, I do believe that the results could be magnificent. Having a single payor system should eliminate a uniquely American issue: citizens that are denied health care or go bankrupt from medical bills. Like other countries, our health care spending of GDP would be greatly reduced. Many more aspects of health care could be regulated such as costly procedures, malpractice insurance, salaries, and more. Eliminating private insurance companies would remove the incentive for profiting from keeping Americans sick. Organizations that truly care about their work and mission should ideally be non-profit. A national health system implemented in the U.S. would provide many benefits such as mainstreaming medical information, promoting primary care, and reducing health care costs. In conclusion, America needs change and needs it now. The question remains in how drastic the change will be and how soon will it be implemented. I feel that small steps in the beginning will assist in an overhaul reform in the distant future.