support the argument
When comparing the U.S. healthcare system with other developed countries is obvious that the expenditures in healthcare in the U.S. are higher, reaching almost the double of other first world countries. But what happen when comparing our healthcare system with a third world country that has experience economic restrictions in the last 60 years? Cuba is a country with a socialist ideology based on the principles of a communist social system designed to share all the goods among the general population (Esposito, Gilbert, Ciampa & Markman, 2017). Healthcare in Cuba is universal and free for all their citizens and residents and, even though they don’t have all the resources available in the U.S. they have managed their system to work and to be one of the best healthcare systems in the world (O’Hanlon & Harvey, 2017).
The comparison between healthcare indicators in Cuba and United States shows that both countries have a similar life expectancy, being 79.1 years in Cuba while is 79.3 years in U.S.; Infant mortality is slightly lower in Cuba with 5 per 1000 living births, while U.S. presents a rate of 5.9 per 1000 living births, slightly superior than Cuba (Hill, 2015). One of the biggest points of inflection is the mortality due chronic disease such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, etc. which is higher in Cuba (16%) than in United States (14.3%) (Hill, 2015). But still, are two factors to consider to doing a final judgement in the resources available and the utilization of such resources for the general population’s good. While Cuba spent only the 8.6% of its GDP in healthcare, United States spent more than the double, 17% in the same item; in conversion, Cuba spent only 558 USD per capita in a year, while U.S. spent 8,845 USD per capita in a year (Hill, 2015). Concluding we can say that Cuba is able to do more with less; this huge difference is based on the utilization of a centralized healthcare system that if mainly focused on prevention and health promotion, and has been able to reduce to the limit the healthcare disparities on its population (O’Hanlon & Harvey, 2017).
But even with this data it is not possible to judge the quality of care between Cuba and U.S., since the quality of the installations, the availability of resources and the qualification of the providers can make the real difference (Esposito, Gilbert, Ciampa & Markman, 2017). Social justice in Cuba is a term that may be seeing as taboo because of the restrictions of the system, but seeing from outside could look as a paradise. The same with the Affordable Care Act, it looks like a dream that will enhance healthcare and wellness for all our population but needs to be deeply analyzed and reformed. Healthcare system in United Stated should be universal, but being careful to not fall in the lies of the socialized management.
Sincerely
Cesar Almanza
Reference:
Esposito, C. L.; Gilbert, J.; Ciampa, A. & Markman, J. (2017). Against all odds: Cuba achieves healthcare for all--an analysis of Cuban healthcare. Journal of the New York State Nurses Association, 45 (1). Retrieved from https://www.nysna.org/sites/default/files/attach/1142/2017/08/2017-08-01nysnaJournalv45n1.pdf
Hill, F. (2015). Prevention better than cure in Cuban healthcare system. BBC World Service. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/health-35073966
O’Hanlon, C. E. & Harvey, M. (2017). Doing more with less: Lessons from Cuba’s healthcare system. Georgetown Journal of International Affairs. Retrieved from https://www.georgetownjournalofinternationalaffairs.org/online-edition/2017/10/2/doing-more-with-less-lessons-from-cubas-healthcare-system
