- Question
- Should healthcare be free?
This position holds that healthcare should be free at the point of use. It argues that such systems reduce financial inequality, boost economic productivity and save lives — that they are cheaper overall, better prepared for pandemics, proven in many countries, and a basic human right.
Supporting arguments · 8
- Free healthcare leads to less inequalityPoorer segments of the population tend to suffer from more lifestyle-induced health complications. In a for-profit system, this increases inequality.
- Free healthcare is better prepared to deal with pandemicsThe full coverage provided by free health care is essential to reduce the propagation rate of viral diseases
- Free healthcare is cheaperFirst-world countries with universal centralized or 2-tier healthcare tend to spend less money Per Capita and achieve better personal care, lower infant mortality and longer lifespans than those with just private healthcare.
- Free healthcare creates economic productivityIn societies where healthcare is provided for free, workers are more productive.
- Free healthcare saves livesA nation should take actions that save the most lives and protect the most people. Free healthcare saves lives and protects people.
- Free healthcare has proven to work in many countriesMost developed countries provide free healthcare to their citizens. Free healthcare has been proven to work based on several metrics such as treatment costs, average hospital stay, and readmission rates.
- Free healthcare is a human rightGood health is a basic essential for human survival. It is a basic human right and should, therefore, be free to all.
- Free healthcare prevents financial exploitationIf medical professionals can charge consumers directly it creates the perfect conditions for exploitation.