The US health expenditure is almost twice that of other developed countries, and yet, our numbers are worse–our life expectancy is lower and our infant mortality is higher. What does that say about our “healthcare system?” Nothing good.

We need to change the way our healthcare system works. Every other developed country has some form of universal health care, at least to an extent. That certainly can’t be said of the US. As a capitalist society, we tend to view health care as a good/service or privilege rather than a right. Our capacity to pay affects whether we can afford insurance and whether we’re insured affects our access to care, which then affects our health, which then affects our need for care, and so on.

Clearly, there’s a problem here.

While I understand why, from a business perspective, it might make sense to run the healthcare industry as a literal business, logically and ethically, it really doesn’t make sense. I mean, it’s not even economists who are making these largely economic decisions–it’s mostly the politicians.

I’m not looking to go into the politics. I’m just saying...should we really be letting them make these decisions that will ultimately affect us all?

Just a few weeks ago, there was a general consensus in my public health class that the US can’t find common ground and come to an agreement as to how to best approach the healthcare industry. This isn’t the pessimism talking. It’s simply the truth, given how political and polarized everything has become. It’s almost as if people are taking opposite sides simply to spite each other. (But that’s a conversation for another time.)

My point is, this isn’t okay, especially with an issue as pertinent as health care. If, somehow, sometime, in the near future, we’re able to find common ground, that’s definitely where we should be headed. And to be honest, it shouldn’t be nearly as hard as we’re making it.

When it comes down to it, health is an issue that’s relevant to everyone. Whether it be a common cold or alzheimer's, asthma or cancer, it affects everyone around us. It can even affect us if it hasn’t already. So why is it so hard for us to realize that we need to come together and fix our health system so that we may better take care of ourselves and those around us?

Because of money? Seemingly so.

But look. We don’t know what’s going to happen in the future. Someone who’s wealthy today might run into financial trouble tomorrow, for whatever reason. What happens when you’re in the middle of a financial dip and then something like cancer comes along? All of these policies intended to benefit the wealthy will no longer be at your mercy. Then, will you finally realize how significant and impactful health policies are, particularly to those who can’t afford care?

I would love it if we could all be happy and healthy forever. But that’s not reality. I’m just here to say that our health system is nowhere near where it needs to be–especially right now, when we’re in the middle of heated arguments regarding health care and insurance policies.

I’m no economist. I’m no politician. I’m not even a health care provider or a chronic patient. And even so, I know that what we need, in order to build a bigger and better future as a nation, is more affordable and accessible health care. How do we get there? Unity. Not division.