Pro's vs Con's of Universal Health Care

Like every controversial subject, the topic of universal health care has its proponents and opponents. Hopefully, like other issues in the past, a compromise that satisfies some of the concerns on each side will be made, a compromise that benefits all involved; in this case the entire country.
Those who oppose a universal health care or single payer plan, for the United States raise some concerns with a universal plan. People against the plan fear it will cost our country too much financially, and our already fragile economy will be strained even further. They fear taxes will be raised dramatically, and that people would then demand universal plans for things such as housing and higher education. The opposition feels that the majority of the population already receives adequate health care, and those who do not have sufficient health care should make the initiative to receive it, for it is available through competing insurance companies or government funded programs such as Medicaid and Medicare. Opponents of a universal health care plan feel it will be "socialized" medicine and will cause everyone to get insufficient care with long waiting lists for necessary procedures, as well as a lack of choices in doctors and treatments one can receive. Opponents argue that the government already sufficiently regulates the “for profit” insurance business of health coverage, and that individual health will suffer for the general benefit.
Those in favor of a universal health care plan for the entire country feel these concerns can be addressed and met in a health care reform, centering on a single payer, universal system. Proponents of universal health care argue that the government is just as responsible for health care as individuals, and so the government needs to insure sufficient care for every citizen. They argue that a large reform in health care in absolutely necessary and is in majority favor of most of the population. Statistics show that a whopping 47 million Americans have no health insurance at all, a number estimated to only increase in time without a reform, this doesn't even take into account the underinsured, who have been declined by insurance companies life saving procedures, because after all health insurance is a business and that business is looking to make the most money it can. Because of this those in favor argue health care must be government mandated and non-profit to eliminate the for profit insurance companies. Proponents argue that presidents and other concerned politicians have been pushing for a universal health care plan for over 100 years. To address this growing issue of health care, many states have passed health care reforms with single payer aspects to them. Proponents demonstrate that successful universal health care plans are already in effect in the United States, those of Medicaid and Medicare, theses programs are relatively successful and a similar system should be put into effect for everyone in the country. Those in favor argue that health care is a "public good", which means like school, police, libraries, and firefighter it too should be run by the government because all involved benefit. Proponents argue that every other industrialized country has a single payer system, which may be the reason those countries rank highest for medical care, with France taking the lead, while the U.S. lags behind ranking somewhere in the 30's. To assuage the concerns that a universal health care plan will cost too much financially, proponents argue that as of right now the U.S. spends the most money annually on health care than any country, and that a universal system of health care would actually dramatically decrease that cost because it would be regulated. Those in favor of a universal health care system argue that a dramatic health reform is absolutely necessary for the United States. Proponents feel a universal health care system would benefit all parties involved.
As is probably evident, I chose to write my paper in favor of a universal health care system. I chose to do so because I feel health care is a right everyone should have regardless of their economic status, age, or employment status. I believe health care is one of the most, if not the most important issue of our time because if the health and well being of our nation declines any further we will have no future. Reforms need to be started soon to help ease the deterioration of our nation's health.