APHA Policies on Universal Health Care: Heath for a Few or Health for All?

Akhter, Mohammad N. “APHA Policies on Universal Health Care: Heath for a Few or Health for All?” American Journal of Public Health 93.1 (2003): 99-101.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1447699/

Argument:

What are the consequences of providing universal health care in the United States on the total cost of health care?

Claim: Providing universal health care in the United States will decrease the cost of health care for the government and the citizens.

Reason: Because providing universal health care in the United States will allow the government to run health care more efficiently.

Audience:

Subscribers to the American Public Health Association. Probably doctors and nurses in the US.

Goal:

To convince the audience that universal health care is a good thing, that it is will be more cost-effective, and that it is needed in the United States. The article also suggests a method of reform to begin a universal health care progam in this country.

How:

The article establishes credibility with a number of facts including the number of uninsured Americans, past attempts at establishing universal health care in the United States, and examples of the success of this program in other countries. It makes a logical argument that if in other countries they were able to provide health care for a larger portion of the population at a fraction of the cost, then why can't we do the same? The information shared is all very relevant to the topic. The facts support the argument and prove the author's point.

Effective:

The article appears convincing. I personally am not convinced because of information which I've gained from other sources, but if someone was to rely solely on this one source I think they would come to the conclusion that we, as a nation, should adopt a policy of universal health care.