In the US, health care is accessed through doctors and hospitals that require patients to pay either out of pocket for their services or with insurance. Every service that is offered has a cost and some much more than others. If one has a disability, they may be eligible to receive help paying for their wheelchairs, medical expenses and other necessary items, but only if the individual makes under a certain amount of money. If the government deems them as having over this amount, they are no longer eligible to receive any financial help and are on their own. Older adults may be eligible to receive medical assistance but only if they are in certain circumstances, causing many in need to be ineligible for this type of help. Medical services and items such as EpiPens cost hundreds of dollars oftentimes and individuals must pay out of pocket for these essential and life saving tools. Some people simply cannot afford them and therefore are at risk or unable to live a comfortable life. If something tragic happens and one needs to call an ambulance, they must first think about whether they can afford an ambulance because they are very expensive. If not, they may attempt to get to the hospital in other slower ways or simply treat the illness or injury at home, sometimes with fatal results.
I find this very concerning because I believe healthcare is something that all people should have access to regardless of their income. These often life saving procedures and assistance is only available to those that can afford it. The government does have the money to put towards Americans’ health and wellbeing but chooses to spend it on other things. This is deeply problematic and puts lower class citizens at a significant health risk. Not everyone can afford or is eligible for insurance, and some health care providers only take insurance. Many individuals and families suffer as a result of being unable to afford physical and mental health services.
In other countries, this is simply not the case. The government prioritises the physical and mental wellbeing of its people and puts their money towards helping them. Many more people have access to free or very inexpensive care and it is not dependent on one’s income or job. This way of valuing the safety and security of their citizens goes a long way in the happiness of the citizens in general. People of all income levels are able to receive life saving procedures and access tools and materials that allow them to live a comfortable life. We all deserve this kind of care and consideration.
This exercise allows you to look at US practices in an objective way and also compare them to what they could be and where they go wrong. Where we come from is not always the right way of doing things and there are different ways to look at and deal with similar situations and problems. By taking a step back from the US way of doing things, we can have a broader sense of the world and the different ways in which people live.