Universal Health Care

Universal

It is not just a concept imagined by Michael Moore in his latest documentary, Sicko, nor is it just a filler topic for candidates seeking the 2008 US Presidential Bid. Rather the fight for a system of universal health care is bigger than ever in America. Our chapter has followed the national office in educating and promoting ideas surrounding this critical issue.

AMSA's Official Statement on Universal Health Care

        For six decades, AMSA has mobilized its members to fight for universal health care and provided the tools for students to become effective leaders in this fight. AMSA believes that health care is a human right.
         More than 45 million Americans go without health insurance. Millions more are underinsured and unable to afford needed services, particularly medications. One in seven Americans, 80 percent of whom are from working families, lack health insurance and consequently risk suffering unnecessary illness and premature death. Though more than $1.6 trillion is spent on health care annually (over 13% of our Gross Domestic
Product), the United States remains the only industrialized nation that does not guarantee health care for all of its citizens. According to a recent study in Health Affairs, about half of bankruptcies filed in 2001 were because of medical bills and, according to the researchers, 76% of people who had a medical-related
bankruptcy had health insurance when they first became ill.
       For the insured and uninsured, healthy and ill, physician and patient alike, health care in the U.S. is in crisis and requires major reform.

What is Single-Payer Coverage?

AMSA has developed a FactSheet called SINGLE PAYER 101, that breaks down this type of health care coverage in very easy terminology. This is the type of health care coverage that is supported by AMSA.

Health Care

Academy Award Filmmaker Michael Moore's most recent document is entitled Sicko and takes a look at the need for the United States to adopt a system of universal health care. No matter you opinion of the film maker, we encourage all members to see this documentary to help better understand the health care crisis in America. AMSA will be sponsoring a film screening of this documentary during the Spring semester, with local speakers to talk about the insurance industry and the the delivery system of health care in the U.S.

...Against Universal Care?

Think it will cost too much money, that it is not necessary, will turn the US into a socialist country, or think it gives too much power to the government? Click here and read AMSA's answers to some of the most common questions and arguments about universal health care.

UHC Programming

Visit our week's homepage dedicated to understanding the complex U.S. healthcare system. Click here.

Everybody IN

Nobody OUT

Health Care is a Right, Not a Privilege

AMERICAN MEDICAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION Case Western Reserve University

The First Step to Becoming a Physician