government provided healthcare

Jayden Yilmaz
Professor Hijaz
PS 1H
1 May 2022
Public Healthcare in the U.S.
The US currently ranks highest in overall healthcare expenditures in the world. Economic
productivity is increased when all citizens have an equal opportunity to receive fair healthcare
and have been an ongoing problem within both society and political opinions. Universal
healthcare lowers the risk of spreading a disease or illness and has shown its benefits to many
throughout the pandemic. Government-provided healthcare is essential to our society because it
provides health care to all income levels, prevents the spread of illness, provides care from
disaster relief, and improves health standards in our country.
The covid-19 pandemic has inflicted a lot of costs on individuals during a time when a lot
of job loss has been occurring and the economy is at a low point. Whether it be the cost of a test
or the aid to care for one if they get sick, many people have shown concern for paying for
covid-19 related costs. As stated by the American Journal of Public Health, “40% of Americans
reported worrying about the cost of covid-19 treatment”. The Journal goes into depth regarding
the link between government-provided healthcare and the rate at which sickness spreads.
Socioeconomic status has a direct impact on the increase of citizens that get sick due to to the
high prices of testing and treatment throughout the US. As the pandemic has evolved, the Federal
government has began to offer free testing as well as vaccinations through various facilities,
which has dramatically reduced the spread of covid-19 since this has been introduced. According
to PLOS Journals, “experts have identified Medicare-Medicaid as potential key players in the
Covid-19 recovery efforts, particularly in addressing social needs, resource gaps, and structural
inequities”. More individuals became eligible for Medicaid during 2020 in the height of the
pandemic, and many showed the need for social and health assistance. From March to November
2020, the number of individuals enrolled in Medicaid increased by 8 million people.
Jayden Yilmaz
Professor Hijaz
PS 1H
1 May 2022