Over 45 million Americans are without medical coverage and at least 8 million of those Americans are children. Many of these Americans believe that a universal health care system would be a solution to this major problem.
 
    According to the Obama Biden website, the universal health care proposition is intended to provide affordable high quality care for everyone. 

    President Barack Obama plans to address the health care system by implementing a universal system that will provide all Americans with insurance. The plan will increase American citizens’ tax dollars to address public health issues, increase awareness and create better health benefits for Americans.

    Obama said, “[universal coverage would be an] important tool to discipline insurance companies,” as reported by the New York Times during a recent White House conference.  Under Obama’s plan, Americans who are satisfied with their current medical coverage have the option to keep their previous insurer.

    Many Americans believe that having one large insurance company is not the solution for the health care industry. Dr. Daniel Glunk is a practicing physician out of Williamsburg, Pa. who specializes in internal medicine.  Glunk said, “Americans are not ready to make that jump to universal health care because we value independence and the ability to make our own decision in choosing a provider.” 

    Brian Schwartz of the Heartland Institute, a public policy think tank, said “‘Universal health care’ is false advertising for politically-controlled medicine, with government as the "single payer" insurer. Having coverage does not guarantee getting medical care.” A “single payer” is the one health insurer that is accessible to the public.  Schwartz also said that every year in Canada, which has governmentally run health insurance, at least 71 Canadian patients die waiting for proper medical treatment.  

    Glunk said, “Americans are accustomed to the latest and greatest. This new system has built in waiting and with that comes limitation to treatment access.” 

    In 2005 Canadian Chief Justice Beverley McLachin repealed Canada’s universal health care system. He said, “Access to a waiting list is not access to health care.”

    On the other hand, Americans without health insurance embrace the idea of having universal coverage.  Due to the current economy, thousands of Americans have been laid off, resulting in the loss of health benefits.  Those who lack health care are concerned with how they will get coverage for themselves and their families.