Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Dana B:Is it possible, over a period of time, to make healthcare available to all Americans?

We had the opportunity to learn about many different aspects of healthcare. If a person does not have insurance they may be neglecting their mental, dental, and physical health. We also learned about physical therapy and the recovery process. Those without insurance may not have the chance to go to a physical/occupational therapist, creating long term heath problems. The problem of obtaining insurance can radiate from one health problem to another.

When presented with this question, nearly all of the doctors and healthcare professionals we spoke with answered with a confident, “No.” Even in states such as Massachusetts that require healthcare insurance for all it’s residents, there are still people who do not have coverage. Healthcare professionals are not allowed to treat patients without insurance; however, the people we spoke with do not see a difference in the number of people they see.
The American people have lived for so long without insurance, they seem to have lost motivation to obtain insurance. Despite any laws that may be put in place there will never be a way to get everybody to want to have insurance. Even though not having insurance may keep people from going to the doctor or the emergency room, most of them don’t see the long term affects on their body.

By educating the American people, they may be more inclined to obtain health insurance. This education is essential to teaching the people the benefits of good healthcare for them and their children. Health education is the key to getting people to help themselves by purchasing insurance. Even though there is much doubt that in the future all Americans will have health insurance, health education may change the views of the people. If motivation to get insurance existed within the American people, then the definite “no” I received when asking my essential question might not be so definite. Insurance companies need to not always think about their profit as much, and learn to think about the benefits their customers might receive when purchasing insurance. If all companies nationwide were required to carry insurance, then unemployment would be the problem. Schools and the government need to take the next step in helping the American people by educating them in how to take care of themselves, and by having insurance they can take care of themselves much better

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