International students often wonder: "The United States is the richest country in the world. Why doesn't the government make medical care available to everyone for free?" There are multiple reasons, some may be surprising.
Did you know that, despite the lack of government-sponsored health benefits for all Americans, the United States is single 16st health insurer in the world? U.S. government programs account for over 44% of all health care expenditures, providing coverage for children, the elderly, the disabled, and the very poor. If you do the math, healthcare is free for almost half the country's population. The level of taxation and regulation that accompany these expenditures is significant and it is the source of contention over proposals to extend free coverage to all U.S. citizens
The United States is proud of its free market economy and lower taxes when compared to more socialized nations. Americans seldom turn to government for solutions until problems reach a crisis. The events of September 11, civil rights inequities, the Great Depression of the 1930s, and the fear of communism are the sort of catalysts that bring Americans together. As long as healthcare remains accessible and affordable to the majority of citizens, it is unlikely there will be incentive for Congress to implement universal health insurance.
At the same time, healthcare services are a vast industry in the U.S. that is often shielded from the discipline imposed by consumer demands. Healthcare is a valued service that is usually paid for by a patient's health insurance plan rather than the patient. This arrangement has often translated to prices for medicines, physician visits and hospitalization that are higher than an individual consumer is willing and able to pay. Providers of these services have an interest in maintaining business as usual and organize political action to make their views known to Congress.
So what does this mean for the international student in the U.S.? Private medical insurance is an absolute necessity. Consult with your school or insurance broker for the options that are appropriate for you.
Google 
Facebook 
Twitter 
Myspace 
Yahoo 
Digg 
Del.icoi.us 
Windows Live 
Reddit 
Blogger 
