Essay - Medicare, Wealth and Equality of Healthcare the Premise of This...

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 ine***** of the Medicare Program as a case in point. A rich man in a poor country is more likely to live longer th*****n is a poor ***** in a poor *****; *****over, a rich man in a ***** country is more likely to live longer than a poor man in a rich country (Smith, 1999, p.16). The first part of the preced*****g statement is self-evident. ***** rich man, no matter where he lives, ***** able to procure t***** means by which ***** stay healthy.

The second part ***** the statement raises serious questions about the quality of life a rich country provides to all of its citizens.

***** in ***** expectancy are mainly due to improvements in three basic social conditions: better nutrition, a cle*****n water supply, and access to health services" *****, 1999, pg. 16). The countries, then, ***** 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 ***** ***** conditions than a ***** country. Smith depicts a direct correlation between life expectancy at birth and the percentage of a population that can expect ***** receive basic health care within one hour's travel (pg. *****).

***** United States ***** minimum health care to most of its population over the age of 65 through the Federal Medicare Program. These benef***** have not been comprehensive because they did not provide for prescription drugs ***** the benefit program. However, "Congress has passed a costly ***** drug benefit for older Americans - a bill that we endorsed to close a gl*****ring gap in Medicare" Holding Down Drug Prices (2003, Nov.28). The New York Times, pg. A1. Yet, ***** program change "is (also) the least ***** to come to fruition on the seven*****year schedule set ***** C*****gress" Scant Support is Seen for Rivals of Medicare (2003, Nov. 28) The New York Times, pg. C1.

The ***** Program does not currently provide a comprehensive pack***** to people ***** 65. They must resort to supplemental health plans and health maintenance organizations to meet their needs. To do this one must ***** money. The W***** Street Journal, in their What's News section explains, "Americans eligible for Medicare should see new ***** insurance options and *****s emerge by spring. (2003, Nov. 28. front page). Understand, these options are not being provided by Medicare, but by supplemental ***** companies. This means that if one can afford a supplement or choose to switch their Medicare benefits to a Health Maintenance Organization, they could see an improvement in benefits. ***** is ***** chang*****g, but how they pay managed care companies is. The hope ***** the ***** care companies will translate the ***** into increased benefits is not a gu*****rantee.

But some analysts say that private insurers will have little incentive to cut