Universal health care
In December 2012, the United Nations passed a historical resolution to endorse universal health coverage which is defined as “everyone (including the poorest and most vulnerable) can access the quality health services they need without financial hardships … through costs shared among the entire population through pre-payment and risk pooling rather than shouldered by the sick … based on need and unrelated to ability to pay.”
This resolution covers “essential health services, including prevention, treatment, hospital care and pain control.”
The World Bank Group and the World Health Organization have also made universal health care a top priority for sustainable development, according to news reports.
BRICS, the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa are also making strides for universal health coverage, according to WHO.
While the United States is debating an improved, accessible and equitable health care system, special interest groups which benefit from the current or even worse systems feed misinformation and lobby against it.
Developing and other advanced nations are already recognizing government’s role in ensuring this human necessity.
Kate Deslauries,
Nordland