Healthcare Commentary

Bridging the Divide: The Future of Healthcare Should Be Universal

By Alicia Zhang, YouthCare Connect

Universal healthcare (UHC) remains one of the most influential topics in the health industry. UHC is a system that ensures everyone has access to healthcare without financial, demographic, or geographical barriers (Evans et al.). This denotes that factors such as income, race, and gender identity will not affect a person’s access to health care. Disparities in healthcare accessibility and treatment quality affect communities worldwide.

Nations have already taken first steps toward UHC, but there’s still room to improve how healthcare is delivered. Though some nations have yet to implement UHC systems, the four pillars of medicine demand otherwise. The European Union, Japan, and Canada have implemented UHC systems to counteract discrepancies in health services, but the U.S. has yet to address them effectively.

The first effort toward UHC in the U.S. was the establishment of Medicaid and, later, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare. Medicaid offers accessible, low-cost health insurance to low-income families in the US. The ACA expanded Medicaid eligibility to all legal residents under 65 years of age with incomes at or below 138% of the federal poverty level (Miller & Hudak). The insurance covers expenses such as ambulatory services, emergency services, hospitalization, maternal and newborn care, preventive and wellness services, and chronic disease care (Manchikanti et al.). These two programs aim to expand healthcare access across the US, particularly for socioeconomic groups that can’t otherwise afford quality care. Other democracies, such as the European Union, Japan, and Canada, have begun establishing and adopting UHC systems. So, why is UHC so important for nations?

The necessity for UHC systems stems not only from the disparities across national populations, but also from the four major pillars of bioethics. Specifically, the pillar of justice. Systemic injustices rooted in racism have increased the healthcare disparities that continue to affect populations, reinforcing systemic inequality across generations (Ghalayini). One ethical principle, distributive justice, emphasizes that healthcare resources should be distributed equally, aligning with the idea that people should receive equal medical care (Varkey).

In bioethics, healthcare is viewed as a fundamental human right, not a service, as it helps people prevent disease, get treatment, and maintain their quality of life (Ghebreyesus). Utilizing bioethical concepts, it’s clear that UHC is crucial to improving quality of life for people in need and strengthening healthcare systems in all nations.

Equitable access to healthcare matters because it supports the overall health and well-being of the U.S. population. For example, access to vaccinations creates herd immunity, which protects a community and helps reduce disease spread, thereby reducing epidemics (McDermott).

When examining disparities in and public opinion on healthcare insurance and access in the US, the urgency of adopting a UHC system is apparent. A 2026 poll found that 73% of United States (U.S.) adults believe healthcare affordability is a significant problem, which is a 6% increase from 2025 (Garcia & Shepard). A 2026 report found that around 8% of the U.S. population, or 27 million people, currently lack health insurance (Gunja et al.). These differences in healthcare access can lead to an increase in preventable deaths, injuries, and the spread of illnesses.

For example, in the U.S., there is a rising epidemic of noncommunicable chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity (Zieff et al.). These diseases are prevalent among low-socioeconomic status (SES) individuals who lack access to high-quality healthcare. Therefore, access to free and universal health care could help address this epidemic by providing accessible care, even in low-SES settings.

Another contemporary example is the COVID-19 pandemic, in which communities with limited access to healthcare were hit significantly harder than their counterparts (Ala et al.). The millions of Americans affected by these healthcare disparities have become a major focus of research and public policy.

For many families, access to health insurance can be life-changing. Especially for marginalized communities, access to the quality care they need can prevent illness and save lives. Providing more accessible health insurance to underserved communities can improve public health. Without health insurance, families are more likely to avoid healthcare because of cost, increasing the risk of developing unchecked health problems (Sparks et al.).

In conclusion, UHC is a valuable concept and system that nations should consider because of its benefits and its focus on quality care. While it’s still implemented differently in many countries, the health improvements it provides for children and adults alike show its value.

Advocacy is the foundation of every step toward a better future. What do YOU think needs to be improved in healthcare systems, and HOW?