I've got this dumbass assignment for medical school, we have to make a discussion post discussing the downsides of universal healthcare (not the positives, for obvious reasons).
My main thesis is that the downsides are largely nonexistent but I don't think I know enough to articulate that position well. I feel like the main argument people make against universal healthcare is "how are we going to pay for it," which is easy to address.
However, I think the thing more people don't talk about is how increasing access for everybody to get healthcare will functionally decrease access for people who already have insurance. Doctors' offices will be overwhelmed, ER's will be overwhelmed, and more and more people are going to have to see midlevels and receive subpar care because doctors can't see them. I'm not sure that I see this as a downside, as healthcare should be a right that everyone has access to and universal healthcare will increase equity, but it's hard to put into words why it isn't a bad thing that rich people can't just buy their way to the front of the line anymore (as their health outcomes would surely decrease to a degree, right?).
If anybody knows of any good review articles that discuss what outcomes would look like if the US introduced universal healthcare that would be greatly appreciated. Or if anyone has further thoughts/sees real downsides that I haven't considered, please share :)
Just troll. Take every argument for universal healthcare and invert the tone of it.
People will get accustomed to having a quality level of healthcare, and come to expect it as a human right.
We won't get the privilege to compete with each other.
We'll lose one of the things that makes America unique and exceptional among developed countries.
The workforce will be bloated with healthier people.
As medical practitioners we'll end up with less experience and opportunities treating advanced illnesses because preventive care will be more comprehensive.
There will be fewer jobs for doctors who want to make the jump in their careers from the medical practice to the insurance sector.
The total quantity of spending on healthcare will decrease; this is bad for the medical industry and will cool down our economy.
People won't be as motivated in general without the threat of irredeemable debt hanging over their heads.
We'll also have more people. The current system is superior at weeding out undesirables.