The Democratic Debate on Healthcare: Universal Healthcare or Medicare For All?
In the past 2 debates we have seen 20 candidates in two days speak of tedious topics like immigration, healthcare, criminal reform and many others, with each candidate taking a stance on each topic. One of the most prominent topics spoken in these last two debates was healthcare with candidates taking one of three stances, Universal Healthcare, Medicare For All, or something in the middle. We have candidates like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren that are in favor of Medicare For All. We also have other candidates like Vice President Joe Biden who wants to give healthcare to all but wants to do that by building on Obamacare, instead of replacing it, which is what a plan like Medicare For All or Universal Healthcare plans would do. So, the question is, what are the differences between Universal Healthcare and Medicare For All, or are they the same?
According to the World Health Organization, or WHO, Universal Healthcare is healthcare for all individuals and communities without causing financial hardship (What is UHC, 2019). This is the type of healthcare we see in countries like England, Canada, and Australia, with some of these countries considered the healthiest country of the world according to Bloomberg’s Healthiest Country Index The aim is to provide access to healthcare while not causing a financial…
