Universal Healthcare Plans & the Impact of the "Rookie" Year

In the United States, there are millions of uninsured adults and children. As a critical social issues, requiring policy change, may political candidates are creating platforms and agendas outlining their plans for resolving the healthcare crisis in the United States.

As part of the analytical process in developing a universal healthcare plan, there are many facets and dynamics that must be considered. For the insured Americans, the cost of healthcare services may be minimal but, unfortunately, the premium costs have skyrocketed. As a result, in addition to providing a way to guarantee coverage to the uninsured, some candidates are choosing to also look at ways in which to reduce costs to the millions of Americans who are insured but can't afford to maintain or utilize coverage due to premiums and out-of-pocket expenses.

Because healthcare costs, premiums and out-of-pocket expenses have increased substantially, many insured Americans are making decisions to downgrade and modify coverage so as to ease the financial burden. In addition, the use of healthcare services has also decreased, primarily because we can no longer afford to see a doctor. This lack of continuity in healthcare has resulted in an increase in hospitalizations and an increase in emergency room visits for not only the uninusred, but even the insured who can't afford the associated costs even with health insurance.

On the flip side, political candidates, and those advocating for a universal healthcare plan, are fearful that such a plan might suddenly burden the health care services and access facilities in the United States. Because many "first year" insureds tend to use medical insurance at a higher rate than in subsequent years, the creation of a universal healthcare plan may result in a sudden rush in healthcare services, burdening not only the tax base but also the medical providers who must provide the care.