What do you see as the purpose of health insurance? Should there be limits on the amount of health care provided? If yes, what criteria should we use to ration health care? If no, how should health care be financed so that everyone has access?
We'll be glad to comment on your answers.
I think that there should not be limits on the amount of health care provided because the proper treatment is necessary. I feel that everyone should be obligated to received health care help as often as needed for there safety and precautions. When the amount of health care is limited then the person is not getting there proper treatment which can result in the person being worse off then before.
Good answer -- although not everyone would agree with you.
Should health care coverage include traveling many miles to a premier clinic for more sophisticated tests?
What about treatments that haven't been medically proven to be effective, but may possibly help?
What about elective surgery?
I don't think that mileage should be included, other test and treatments should be those treatments could prevent a illness. I don't think anybody should be denied anything that would help them remain healthy, in good condition, and to live a longer life.
Basically I agree with you.
Now -- who should pay for this medical care?
The purpose of health insurance is to provide financial protection and access to healthcare services for individuals and families. Health insurance helps cover the costs of medical treatments, medications, and preventive care, reducing the financial burden on individuals and ensuring they can receive necessary healthcare services.
As for the second part of your question, whether there should be limits on the amount of healthcare provided, it is a complex and debated issue. The concept of healthcare rationing is often a response to the scarcity of resources and the need to allocate them fairly and efficiently. However, determining the criteria for rationing healthcare raises ethical concerns and requires consideration of various factors.
If limits are deemed necessary, some of the commonly used criteria for rationing healthcare include:
1. Medical necessity: Prioritizing treatments that are proven to be effective in treating a medical condition over those that are experimental or unnecessary.
2. Cost-effectiveness: Considering the value gained from a treatment in relation to its cost, focusing on interventions that provide the most significant health benefits relative to their cost.
3. Severity of the condition: Giving higher priority to individuals with severe illnesses or life-threatening conditions.
4. Prognosis: Assessing the likelihood of a positive outcome when considering the allocation of limited resources.
On the other hand, if the goal is to ensure everyone has access to healthcare without limits, alternative approaches are needed. Some possible ways to finance healthcare for universal access include:
1. Government-funded healthcare: Establishing a single-payer system or a government-funded healthcare program where the government bears the costs of providing healthcare services to all citizens.
2. Mandated private insurance: Requiring all individuals to have health insurance through private providers, potentially with subsidies for low-income individuals.
3. Public-private partnerships: Combining public and private sectors to create a mixed system, where certain basic healthcare services are publicly funded, while individuals can also choose to purchase additional private coverage.
It's important to note that the choice of healthcare financing and the decision regarding the limits on healthcare provision involve complex considerations around the overall healthcare system, societal values, and the specific context of a country or region. Different countries have adopted various models based on their priorities and available resources.