Medicare, Wealth and Equality of Healthcare
The premise of this position paper is that wealth, not regulation, determines the quality of healthcare available in the United States, citing the inequality of the Medicare Program as a case in point. A rich man in a poor country is more likely to live longer than is a poor man in a poor country; moreover, a rich man in a rich country is more likely to live longer than a poor man in a rich country (Smith, 1999, p.16). The first part of the preceding statement is self-evident. A rich man, no matter where he lives, is able to procure the means by which to stay healthy.
The second part of the statement raises serious questions about the quality of life a rich country provides to all of its citizens.
Increases in life expectancy are mainly due to improvements in three basic social conditions: better nutrition, a clean water supply, and access to health services" Smith, 1999, pg. 16). The countries, then, that should boast the longest life expectancies are those in which one finds these social conditions. It follows that a rich country, rich in resources and personal wealth, provides better social conditions than a poor country. Smith depicts a direct correlation between life expectancy at birth and the percentage of a population that can expect to receive basic health care within one hour's travel (pg. 16).
The United States provides minimum health care to most of its population over the age of 65 through the Federal Medicare Program. These benefits have not been comprehensive because they did not provide for prescription drugs within the benefit program. However, "Congress has passed a costly prescription drug benefit for older Americans - a bill that we endorsed to close a glaring gap in Medicare" Holding Down Drug Prices (2003, Nov.28). The New York Times, pg. A1. Yet, this program change "is (also) the least likely...
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