"STAT Summit Reveals the Economic Benefits of Universal Basic Health Care"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by STAT
Leading economist Amy Finkelstein proposes a simple solution to fix America's health insurance woes: offering universal basic health care coverage. Finkelstein argues that taxpayers already bear the cost of medical treatment for the uninsured, so it makes sense to formalize and fund universal coverage upfront. The proposed system would provide automatic coverage to all Americans without raising taxes and eliminate copays and deductibles. The focus would be on essential services, with the option for individuals to purchase supplemental insurance for non-basic services. While the plan is straightforward, political will is needed for implementation. Finkelstein remains hopeful that her vision can gain momentum in the future.