HMO Model to Be Considered in Universal Healthcare Plan

As the debate over universal healthcare rages on in the United States, many advocates of a universal healthcare plan are in debate amongst themselves. While most Americans agree a universal healthcare plan is long overdue in the United States, the debate then lies in the type of plan that should be made available to the American population.

Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), in past years, conjured up emotions of negativity among many American workers. With increasingly higher premium payments, many employers and employees avoid HMO plans for fear of highly regulated healthcare. This, however, may be the model most considered when looking at a universal healthcare plan.

Contrary to popular belief, HMO plans, and using an HMO model in the universal healthcare program, may actually serve a benefit, especially to those of lower education and socioeconomic status who, otherwise, may not engage in preventative care. In fact, when looking at the services obtained by those in a lower socioeconomic class, when insured by an HMO, this sector of the population may show to receive preventative services more regularly than the higher educated population.

Such preventative services more commonly obtained while insured under and HMO include Pap smears, mammograms and prenatal care for women, in addition to an increase in influenza vaccinations and diabetic screenings.

When considering an HMO model in the universal healthcare plan, it is important to place measures for accountability to ensure the care offered is of quality. In the past, HMO plans have conjured negative feelings among members and non-members, primarily out of the perceived lack of quality of care and the restrictions on access to care, especially in terms of specialty services. Should the United States turn to an HMO model, a "check and balance" program will need to be in place to ensure quality and access are not restricted.