According to recent census data, approximately 44 million Americans are uninsured and another 38 million have inadequate health insurance. There is debate around how healthcare is distributed, ranging from single-payer systems to more privatized models. Supporters of a free market argue that competition would expand access and lower costs by giving consumers more choice and information. However, others note there are also disadvantages to a purely free market approach. Overall, most agree the priority should be fair, effective, and accessible healthcare for all citizens.

1. Accordingto the mostrecentUnitedStatescensus,anapproximate 44 millionAmericansare uninsured
and another38 millionAmericanshave aminimal orinadequate healthinsuranceplanforthemselves
and theirdependents1
. Withanessential likehealthcare andthe provisionsof how ourgovernmenthas
slowlycommoditizedandprivatizedthe healthcare systems,itisa hard statistictounderstandhowso
manyAmericansare uninsuredandhowsomany are notappropriatelycaredfor1, 2
. Philosophieson
howhealthcare isdistributedtothe publicare oftencategorizedfromaMonopsonytheory(like in
Canada andthe UK) to a developingOligophy(similartoObamacare withinthe US)2
. An ideologythat
has beenenticingtomanyPublicPolicystudentsisthatof a free market.
Similartothe economictheoriesthatmanypolitical andsocial policiesare basedoff of,a free market
competitionisthe mostideal whenitcomestothe distributionof healthcare3
. Free marketcompetition
allowsforthe expansion of healthcare consumersaswell asproviders,thereforecreatingamarket that
limitsprice control. Patientsandpotential buyerswillhave detailed,accurate informationaboutthe
qualityandavailabilityof the healthcare goodsthattheywill purchase3
.Thisideologythriveson
transparencyandit allowsforthe consumertohave the choice toselectthe bestplan;affordability,
availability,andqualityare increasingforthose whowere notprivilegedenoughtoreceive initial
healthcare inthe first place3
.
The developmentof HealthSavingsAccountscame intoplayin2003 whenPresidentGeorge W.Bush
signedthe Medicare PrescriptionDrug,Improvement,andModernizationAct3,4
.HealthSavings
Accounts(HSA) have become the savinggrace to manyAmericanswhohave a highdeductibleintheir
insurance plans. A healthsavingsaccountisa pre-tax deductionthatallowsthe contributortodeposit
necessary fundsforhealthcare reasons;everyaccounthasa depositlimitforthe contributor4
. For
example,asingle person’scontributioncanbe limitedto$3,350 and a personwitha family’s
contributioncanbe upwardstowards$6,750. HSA’sare unique inthe sense thatthe limitscanbe rolled
overfromaccount-to-accountandtheybelongtothe contributor,regardlessof how the moneywasfirst
deposited4
.
People enrolledwiththe HDHPplansthat allow forHSA’susuallyhave alowerpricedpremiumthan
those enrolledinaPPOplanwithintheiremployer’sgroup4
. HDHPplansare ideal forthose whodo not
have a serioushealthcondition,butinsteadworksasasafetynetincase there isan eventual medical
issue thatneedstobe takencare of4
. The deductible andoutof pocketexpensesforthe HDHPplansare
higher,butwiththe HSA’s,manyAmericanshave afinancial safetynettopayfor healthcare when
necessary4
.
Witheveryideologyandtheory,there isalwaysalistof prosand conswhenitcomesto selectingwhat
seemsrightforthe majority. A free marketsystem, however,allowsforthe minoritytohave a thought
1InsuranceU. Health Insurance - U.S Census Bureau. Censusgov. 2016.Availableat:
https://www.census.gov/hhes/www/hlthins/. Accessed March 30,2016.
2 PBS- Healthcare Crisis:The Uninsured.Pbsorg. 2016.Availableat:
http://www.pbs.org/healthcarecrisis/uninsured.html.Accessed March 30, 2016.
3 McLaughlin C, McLaughlin C. Health Policy Analysis.
4 Young D. Health Savings Accounts: An Introduction. Health 401k.2011. Availableat:
http://www.health401k.com/2011/09/health-savings-accounts-an-introduction/.Accessed March 30,2016.

2. and voice evenwithanabsence of a true,free marketeconomy3
. The general publicwantsasystem
that allowsfairtreatmentforthemselvesandtheirfamiliesaswell asa systemthatcan treat themfairly
and effectivelywhenevertheyneedit3
. Healthcare accessand healthinsurance coverage isapriorityto
manyvotersresidingwithinournation;transparency,free market,andthe abilitytochoose aplan that
isappropriate ishighlyregardedasa privilegeamongthose whoare still struggling.