The Struggle for Accessible Healthcare in the United States

The Struggle for Accessible Healthcare in the United States

Access to healthcare has been a pressing issue in the United States for decades. Efforts to establish universal healthcare have been made throughout history, but have yet to be fully realized. The Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) provide a brief history of these efforts in their article, "A Brief History: Universal Health Care Efforts in the US." Meanwhile, the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) measure patient satisfaction with healthcare facilities. Both PNHP and HCAHPS recognize the need for accessible healthcare, but approach the issue from different angles.

PNHP’s article outlines the various attempts to establish universal healthcare in the United States, from President Truman's proposed plan in 1945 to the Affordable Care Act in 2010. However, despite these efforts, the United States still lacks a universal healthcare system. The article highlights the issues that have prevented the establishment of universal healthcare, including opposition from insurance companies and the belief that healthcare is a privilege, not a right.

In contrast, HCAHPS focuses on measuring patient satisfaction with healthcare facilities. According to their fact sheet, the HCAHPS survey measures various aspects of a patient's experience, including communication with healthcare providers and pain management. The survey aims to provide feedback to healthcare facilities and improve the quality of care provided to patients. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that patients have a positive experience when seeking healthcare.

Despite approaching the issue of accessible healthcare from different angles, both PNHP and HCAHPS recognize the importance of making healthcare accessible to all. PNHP advocates for universal healthcare, arguing that healthcare is a basic human right that should not be limited by income or social status. Meanwhile, HCAHPS aims to improve the quality of care provided to patients, ensuring that patients have a positive experience when seeking healthcare.

In conclusion, the struggle for accessible healthcare in the United States remains ongoing. While efforts have been made to establish universal healthcare, opposition from insurance companies and a belief that healthcare is a privilege, not a right, have prevented its establishment. However, organizations like HCAHPS are working to improve the quality of care provided to patients. Ultimately, the goal should be to establish a universal healthcare system that ensures that everyone has access to healthcare, regardless of income or social status.