When politics and medical science intersect, there can be much debate. Sometimes, anecdotes or hearsay are misused as evidence to support a particular point. Despite these and other challenges, however, evidence-based approaches are increasingly used to inform health policy decision-making regarding causes of disease, intervention strategies, and issues impacting society. One example is the introduction of childhood vaccinations and the use of evidence-based arguments surrounding their safety. In this Discussion, you will identify a recently proposed health policy and share your analysis of the evidence in support of this policy. Post a description of the health policy you selected and a brief background for the problem or issue being addressed. Which social determinant most affects this policy? Explain whether you believe there is an evidence base to support the proposed policy and explain why. Be specific and provide examples.
Health Policy – Medicare for All Act
One recently proposed health policy is the Medicare for All Act. This policy aims to establish a single-payer healthcare system. This will offer comprehensive healthcare coverage to all Americans. It seeks to address the issue of limited access to affordable healthcare and rising healthcare costs in the country. The proposal says that a single-payer system would eliminate the complexities of multiple insurance plans. It would also reduce administrative costs and guarantee that healthcare is a right for everyone. However, the proposal has also faced opposition. There are multiple debates regarding its feasibility and potential impact on the economy.
One social determinant that considerably affects the proposed Medicare for All policy is socioeconomic status. Socioeconomic status comprises an individual’s level of education, and livelihood (Wanberg et al., 2020). These play a very important role in deciding to seek healthcare services. The Medicare for All policy aims to address the issue of limited access to affordable healthcare, more so for low-income individuals and even those without adequate health insurance. A single-payer system is expected to get rid of financial barriers and ensure that healthcare is accessible to all. It will ensure that healthcare is accessible to all individuals despite their socioeconomic status. It aims to level the playing field and give everyone equal healthcare opportunities.
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There is evidence supporting the proposed Medicare for All policy. There are existing studies in countries with similar single-payer healthcare systems. Research has shown that countries that have universal healthcare systems achieve better health outcomes and lower healthcare costs (Unruh et al., 2022). Also, several studies and analyses have examined the potential impact of a single-payer healthcare system. For instance, a study published in The Lancet found that a single-payer system could lead to improved health outcomes (Galvani et al., 2020). It could also reduce administrative costs and increase efficiency compared to the current fragmented system.
References
Galvani, A. P., Parpia, A. S., Foster, E. M., Singer, B. H., & Fitzpatrick, M. C. (2020). Improving the prognosis of health care in the USA. The Lancet, 395(10223), 524-533. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(19)33019-3