Introduction
The government takes specific actions to ensure the accessibility of health care services to citizens. This intervention involves the implementation of policies and programs in response to emerging problems and needs in society. When analyzing a healthcare policy, it is necessary to consider many factors that determine the success of a program. For the implemented policy to be successful and beneficial for the state, it must effectively contribute to achieving the set goals and be aimed at helping the public. This paper will analyze the single-payer policy in New York.
Policy Analysis
Advantages
The single-payer policy was a 2018 innovation in the New York healthcare system. To ensure equal access to health care for all citizens, the government has developed unique programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Veterans’ health programs (Kraft & Furlong, 2021). Due to the high cost of healthcare services, these programs are social guarantees for vulnerable population categories. In addition, various health maintenance organizations (HMOs) operate in the current US healthcare system and promote equal healthcare services (Kraft & Furlong, 2021).
However, the existence of a large number of HMOs can lead to some bureaucratic issues associated with increased billing administration costs. Therefore, a single-payer system in which citizens’ medical bills are issued to one organization could significantly simplify the system (Single Payer New York, n.d.). Savings on administration could be spent on providing better medical services.
Moreover, Medicare and Medicaid are aimed at specific social groups, while the single-payer policy in New York applies to all citizens. According to Goldberg et al. (2018), “the New York Health Act would provide universal insurance coverage with no copays, deductibles or premiums for all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status” (para. 2).
This could potentially lead to the elimination of discrimination in the healthcare system and a rise in the public health level. Moreover, a single-payer system would include health insurance in all directions, depending on the patient’s needs (Single Payer New York, n.d.). That could reduce the number of unexpected expenses for people during treatment and rehabilitation.
Disadvantages
However, this policy had shortcomings, mainly related to the program’s financing. Economic efficiency issues are another critical factor in assessing healthcare policy (Kraft & Furlong, 2021). Significant tax increases for citizens would be required to secure funding for the program.
Tax payments would be split between the employer (80%) and the employee (20%), with self-employed people having to pay the total amount of tax to run the program (Newsday Editorial Board, 2018). Furthermore, the policy provides mandatory coverage for all New York residents with the government-run healthcare program, with no choice of private coverage. That may raise some ethical concerns regarding the single-payer policy.
Another disadvantage could be reduced healthcare provider payments, making them less motivated (Newsday Editorial Board, 2018). That would lead to a deterioration in the quality of medical services for citizens. Even though, according to researchers, this program could be beneficial in the long term, it has many weaknesses (Goldberg et al., 2018). Therefore, a better solution would be to expand the scope of Medicare and Medicaid to make them more accessible to more citizens before introducing a single-payer policy.
Conclusion
Hence, analyzing a healthcare policy is essential in determining its effectiveness and success. The evaluation includes the assessment of the program’s effectiveness, economic efficiency, and ethical issues. It helps to determine what changes should be made to make health services more accessible to citizens.
The single-payer policy that was proposed for implementation in New York could have a positive impact on the healthcare system. She could have all New York residents with health insurance and equal access to health care. However, implementing the program has several negative consequences, such as tax increases and cuts in the salaries of healthcare providers.
References
Goldberg, D., Niedzwiadek, N., & Eisenberg, A. (2018). RAND study finds single-payer viable in New York, but with big caveats. Politico. Web.
Kraft, M. E., & Furlong, S. R. (2021). Public Policy: Politics, Analysis, and Alternatives. CQ Press.
Newsday Editorial Board. (2018). The perils of single-payer health care in New York State. Newsday. Web.
Single Payer New York. (n.d.). Home. Single Payer New York. Web.
