As the only developed nation without universal healthcare, the US is often criticised for not providing enough support for its citizens. The global pandemic has highlighted how problematic this has the potential to be. So, will Donald Trump or Joe Biden be better for healthcare?
Donald Trump will be better for healthcare
Trump in 2016 ran on a platform of repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act due to its inefficiencies and flaws. He also pledged to make drug prices more affordable and increase transparency of hospital pricing.
Americans don't want public healthcare
The culture in the US is one which highly values the individual and free choice above all else. As in the Declaration of Independence: "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness". Americans want to have control over their lives and not be constrained by government wherever possible. This includes healthcare decisions.
Joe Biden doesn't have a healthcare plan or a budget
Free healthcare for all sounds all well and good, but it would take billions in government spending and increase the tax burden on the American people. Joe Biden plans to expand the Affordable Care Act but has given little indication as to where the funds needed will come from.
Biden is pledging to protect the Affordable Care Act and build on it to provide more healthcare for lower cost to the individual. His stance, giving people more freedom to choose plans and insurance, reducing costs of care and making the system less complex, will benefit American citizens.
Joe Biden will improve the current healthcare system
Biden has vowed to introduce reforms to the healthcare system in order to simplify its structure and reduce its cost to the American people.
Joe Biden's plans will allow more people to get health insurance
Biden has outlined steps in his plan to expand the coverage of Medicare, lowering the age requirement from 65 to 60. He also plans to expand health care coverage to incorporate a further 15-20 million people who are currently uninsured.
Both Trump and Biden's plans fall short of free healthcare for all that other developed nations have. With premiums still unaffordable for many Americans and drug prices sold at exorbitantly high prices, the US needs someone who will provide a stronger stance on these issues.
Neither Donald Trump nor Joe Biden's proposals go far enough
Americans need a system of universal healthcare now more than ever. The global pandemic has left hundreds of thousands dead in the country, and rising unemployment has increased the number of the uninsured and vulnerable.
