Introduction
The US health care is often regarded as an example of various atrocities of the capitalistic system. However, social justice within the healthcare system is a debatable topic that needs a comprehensive approach. Fourie (2012) notes that social justice is not confined to the distribution of resources although this area is central. Social justice can be achieved when all groups have equal attitudes towards the way resources are distributed. This goal can hardly be achieved.
Main Body
For instance, the level of poverty in the USA is on the rise, and many people simply have no funds to purchase their health insurance (Almgren & Lindhorst, 2012). They also have no employment opportunities that could ensure the availability of health insurance for them. At the same time, it is not fair that some people have to pay for other patients as hospitals cannot provide their services for free. One of the possible solutions to this issue is the development of a mixed system where private and socialized medicine are combined.
The majority of people should have health insurance, but those who do not have enough resource can be treated at governmental healthcare facilities. These hospitals will provide care addressing such health issues as acute issues, infectious diseases, and the like. Private healthcare facilities will provide a wide range of high-quality healthcare services. In this case, people who have insurance will be able to receive proper care while those who have no funds will also be treated. Clearly, the issue is not confined to ethics or morality as it is associated with hazards to public health (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2016). Some untreated health issues can result in the spread of infectious diseases or even epidemics.
In my opinion, social justice is not confined to socialized medicine or communism. It cannot be fair that some people pay for certain services while others receive the same services free of charge. The right to wellness is indeed mentioned in the US Constitution, and many people focus on that when advocating for socialized medicine (Almgren, 2017). Nevertheless, it is expected that all people will try to contribute equally to the development of the society.
Of course, some have the necessary resources while others live in poverty. Poverty is not a result of people choice or the lack of commitment and diligence. Various factors have an impact on people’s socioeconomic status. However, it is not fair to provide the same services to all irrespective of their contribution to the society.
One of the possible solutions is the development of a system that provides the necessary minimum to people in need and offers a wide range of service to insured people. Poor people will be treated in free healthcare facilities funded by the government and charities. I believe this can become the first step towards social justice in the healthcare setting, and no magic wands are needed. The wand is necessary to make all people share similar views on the matter and be satisfied with a specific distribution pattern.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is possible to note that social justice can become a characteristic feature of the US healthcare system. It is necessary to develop a mixed system that will include different options for different groups of people. However, even in this case, true social justice will not be achieved as this complex issue needs a more comprehensive approach.
References
Almgren, G. R. (2017). Health care politics, policy, and services: A social justice analysis (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.
Almgren, G. R., & Lindhorst, T. (2012). The safety-net health care system: Health care at the margins. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.
Fourie, C. (2012). What do theories of social justice have to say about health care rationing? Well-being, sufficiency and explicit age-rationing. In A. Den Exter & M. Buijsen (Eds.), Rationing health care: Hard choices and unavoidable trade-offs (pp. 65-86). Portland, OR: Maklu.
Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2016). Public health nursing: Population-centered health care in the community (9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.