Universal

Healthcare

One of the problems opponents see with single-payer healthcare is the control of services by the government and the likelihood that budget restraints would reduce individual choice in health care decisions. Opponents believe free-market health care ensures a balance of supply and demand of services. Government control of healthcare would limit how and when people could go to the doctor when needed.

One of the largest complaints regarding the health care industry in today’s free market environment has been the gradual erosion of competition. This is due to consolidation of various health care entities like insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies. Opponents of single payer health care suggest the lack of competition would get even worse with a government-run system. Free market health care would virtually disappear. Patients would have far fewer choices when it came to their health care needs. Many Americans would consider it invasive or restrictive for the government to be in charge of making healthcare decisions.

Content courtesy of MBA Healthcare Management

We have competition in the U.S. Healthcare system, yet there doesn't seem to be any benefit. The insurance companies compete against each other, yet somehow prices continue to rise. There is already a high demand for physician services and high wait times, sometimes up to six months for a specialist. Patients and physicians are already at the mercy of insurance companies for healthcare choices.

While there has been some healthcare consolidations, the cuts these companies make in order to save money are not passed on to the consumers. Rather, they continue to line the pockets of the stockholders and CEOs. Even in countries with Universal Payer Systems, they have the option to pay for private insurance. Again, the healthcare companies already make the decisions for US patients.