The Emerging Perception of Healthcare as Public Good

In an article recently featured on Press Herald, an intriguing question was proposed: why is it so challenging for America to view healthcare, particularly nursing services, as a public good? The piece, written by a self-proclaimed millennial with connections to Maine’s healthcare system, dives deep into the conflicting perspectives surrounding the issue, with special attention to the role of nursing.

The Current State of America’s Healthcare System

The US healthcare system is currently a private, profit-driven enterprise, where care costs are often prohibitive for many citizens. The writer explains that American capitalism greatly influences the healthcare industry, as services are bought and sold, rendering healthcare more of a commodity than a public good.

This understanding starkly contrasts with the norms in some other developed countries that provide universal healthcare. Such countries view healthcare, particularly nursing, as a public service, ensuring all citizens can access care regardless of their financial capabilities. In the U.S., however, the debate is still ongoing whether healthcare is a human right or a market commodity.

The Role of Nursing

Nursing, which forms an integral part of healthcare, is gradually being acknowledged as a public good. Nurses are the backbone of patient care, providing services like administering medication, educating patients about their conditions, and offering emotional support.

The training and dedication that nursing requires, as well as the crucial role nurses play in patient care, make it a profession of high societal value. However, it isn’t just the patients who benefit from nurses’ work. Society as a whole benefits from a healthy populace, as healthy individuals can more effectively contribute to the economy, education, and other sectors.

While the essential nature of nursing is widely acknowledged, the profession is often undervalued in the U.S. As the author notes, nurses in America are frequently underpaid and overworked, highlighting that the healthcare system does not adequately support these vital but often-overlooked healthcare providers.

Recognizing Healthcare as a Public Good

The article argues that healthcare, and more specifically, nursing, needs to be recognized as a public good. This would entail viewing healthcare as a commodity or service that benefits all of society, not just individual consumers. This shift in perspective could potentially drive changes in healthcare policies to ensure more equitable access to care and better support for healthcare providers.

For instance, recognizing healthcare as a public good might lead to measures such as implementing a universal healthcare system where everyone has access to essential services irrespective of their financial status. Additionally, it could also mean significant changes to the nursing profession, such as improved working conditions and wages, hence improving the quality of patient care.

In conclusion, the debate over viewing healthcare as a public good is complex and riddled with contrasting perspectives. However, the discussion is crucial to reshaping the U.S healthcare system, with potential implications for policy changes that could lead to more equitable access to care and better working conditions for healthcare providers such as nurses. Though change may seem challenging, the article advocates for a shift in perspective — to view healthcare, and specifically nursing, as invaluable to overall societal well-being.

Original Article: https://www.pressherald.com/2023/09/24/the-maine-millennial-why-wont-we-think-of-health-care-as-a-public-good/