Cook et al (2018) tells us that “over 50% of deaths in the United States are attributable to chronic diseases, many of which are directly linked to health behaviors such as diet, exercise, and smoking” (p. 108). These statistics show us that many diagnoses are avoidable. However, even with this in mind, our job as nurses is to take care of our patients. If we refuse patients medical care, we are denying them basic human rights. I believe that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, no matter what their life may look like outside of the hospital or clinic. Just like we can’t tell someone’s health by simply looking at them, we also cannot decide who “deserves” healthcare based on health behaviors.
The Affordable Care Act was put in place to bring health care coverage to more Americans. It expanded the eligibility criteria for Medicaid and stopped insurance companies from turning down patients due to any pre-existing conditions. This law has helped to take down barriers that were preventing many people from being able to receive medical care. I would say that this law is definitely in favor of providing care to everyone as a right, regardless of health status or health habits.
According to Hall and Doran (2016), smoking causes almost 170 billion dollars in healthcare costs every year. Another 156 billion dollars is lost due to premature deaths and second-hand smoke exposure. Not only is it crazy that smoking costs this much every year, but it is also sad that it is preventable. 42,000 deaths a year are caused by second-hand smoke. Smoking not only harms the one that is smoking, but also those around them.
When compared to the United States, Japan has a much higher coverage when it comes to healthcare insurance. Japan has a universal insurance system in place that brings the same medical care and treatment to all citizens (). Japan and the United States both are facing the reality of an aging population. The citizens of Japan have a longer life expectancy than many other countries and some suspect that that is due to the healthcare system that is in place. In certain religions throughout Japan, diseases and illness are often seen as unclean and impure, which is different from most of the United States. Other religions in Japan generally view aging as the natural process of life which is similar to many views in the States.
(Please take time to review your peers’ presentations and make substantive comments regarding the presentation. Bring in current literature to support your responses. Please use peer reviewed nursing journal articles. Please
refer to the RN-BSN Discussion Board Rubric located in the Rubrics folder for grading details. Refer to student’s discussion post in files.)
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