To propose an amendment to the constitution means altering the history of our country. It is a way for future generations to obtain rights that previously were not given. Amending the constitution to add health care would be an asset to the future of our country. It would provide each citizen with the equal opportunity to access health care. Each individual should have equal rights to receive treatment from a healthcare provider regardless of income, gender, race, and health status. Under the constitution, there is currently no amendment that covers access to universal health care. 

Universal health care in the United States has been talked about for years. Out of 37 nations that are in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) the United States is the only one that currently does not have universal health care. In 2019, 27.5 million non-elderly Americans did not have health care insurance. Universal health care provides insurance to all Americans regardless of race, gender, economic status, and health. The system is funded through revenues from income taxes as well as employment contributions. Under this type of system, all citizens would have the same access to health care and treatments. 

 In 2021, $4.3 trillion (about $13,000 per person) was spent on health care annually in the United States. A survey completed in 2022, stated that 56% of Americans were worried about the expenses of health care bills related to accidents or serious health issues that could potentially cost them thousands. Over 50% of the citizens are in medical or dental debt in the United States. Even more astounding, about 530,000 families in the United States annually must file for bankruptcy due to the debt from medical or dental bills.  

The World Health Organization has a ranking worldwide for its 191 countries based on their health care systems. Out of 191, the United States was placed at 37 between Costa Rica and Slovenia. The United States had signed the World Health Assembly resolution in 2005, which stated that countries should transition into a universal health care system to help its citizens seek the care that they need. Out of the OECD, this country has the most expensive health care per person at $12,000.  

In the 20th century, the thought of Universal Health Care arose and since then millions of people have had to suffer in silence without seeking medical help because they cannot afford to. The endless medical bills that come from even one emergency room visit are astronomical, thousands of dollars that families do not have. Many put their own health at risk by putting a doctor's appointment on hold until they can obtain insurance or the services. Most practices require patients with no insurance to pay at time of service, which could easily be a couple hundred dollars. Why is it that health care in the United States is so expensive and extremely difficult to obtain? 

If it were not for the bills in 1915 being written, many low-income families would not have access to health care. In 1939, a New York Senator proposed a National Health Care Act, but it did not gain any support from Congress. A few years later, President Truman also pushed for a national health care system, but it also was not passed, this time it was based upon socialized medicine. Many government officials including a recent former president, Barrack Obama, attempted to create a national health care system that would assist in giving access of health care to its citizens. Obama had passed a bill for Obamacare that would inevitably hurt the low- and middle-class citizens of this country. Obamacare gave access to families to purchase through the marketplace, however it was costly. It also taxed citizens who did not have health insurance that year on their income taxes.  

It is not only adults affected by the current health care systems we have in place. Children suffer every year from mental health conditions such as ADHD, Autism, Depression, etc., especially if they are on medical assistance. Assistance can be helpful to families for regular doctors' visits, however when seeing specialists, families are turned away because of getting medical insurance from the government. At certain practices, government assistance is not accepted, which pushes the low-income families to go without getting the care they need. Mental health care in this country for any age costs a fortune even for one session. 

The constitution should be amended to include universal health care for all. The main reason that the amendment should be written is the economic factor. The number of families suffering from medical debt is astounding at over 50% of our country. Second, access to health care is not equal at the various levels of income. A family on medical assistance (government provided insurance) cannot seek medical or dental help at most facilities as those that are paying monthly premiums. One insurance administrator would decrease the costs to all individuals instead of having a competitive marketplace like the one Obama had instituted. These citizens of this country should want their rights and freedoms for health care protected. They would have access to any health care needed at a low cost, so families would not have to fear the medical bills. Let us fight for equal rights of health care and for the care of our families. Every family should have an equal opportunity to receive the same care and treatment as anyone else.  
 
  
References 

History of Universal Healthcare. (2023, March 9). https://healthcare.procon.org/history-of-the-right-to-health-care/ 

Should the US Government Provide Universal Health Care? (2023, March 16). https://healthcare.procon.org/