Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

Affordable Healthcare

Publication Date

Spring 3-28-2023

College

Health Sciences & Nursing, Gordon E. Inman College of

Department

Honors Program

BURS Faculty Advisor

Priscilla Gitimu

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Abstract

Affordable Healthcare

This research project is based on the idea of having affordable healthcare, and how it affects the members of our community as a whole. According to Cha and Cohen (2022) around 31.6 million Americans currently have no healthcare. For those with underlying conditions, and various other health issues, affordable healthcare plays such a big role. From diabetes to cancer patients, do death rates correspond to the lack of available care? We should see a positive change in how our community responds to basic human necessities, such as healthcare.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death in 2019. Insulin is very expensive, and it is depended upon by most of those diagnosed with diabetes. This is just one instance that truly expresses our lack of affordable care in the USA. Affordable healthcare leads to economic leveling, for example about 34 percent of Americans with medical debt are seen to increase their credit card debt, and 71 percent are seen to cut spending on other necessities such as food and household items. It is sad that people have to sacrifice important aspects of basic living in order to afford health care.

To further support the need for affordable healthcare in the US, other countries were explored on their stance on the principle of affordable healthcare. In fact, over 50 countries currently support a universal healthcare system. These countries are known to be doing well economically in spite of making the healthcare affordable for their people. To conclude, affordable healthcare is a notably important concept and should be appropriately realized in the USA.

Reference:

Cha, A. & Cohen, R. (2022). Demographic Variation in Health Insurance Coverage:

United States, 2020. National Health Statistics Reports. 169, pg. 1-15 . https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr169.pdf

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS