There are many problems with free health care. Though most people would agree that free health care is better than none at all, nevertheless, there are several challenges that need to be addressed in order to effectively use free health care.
Location
Location is often an issue for free health care, as many facilities are located in impoverished areas. Although a portion of their patient population may come from a particular region, that does not mean they all do. Take, for example, people living in rural America. Farmers are generally self-employed and may have a true need for free health care but must travel to an urban inner-city neighborhood to find a free clinic or hospital.
Access
Access is a major barrier to free health care. Since free care facilities rely on external funding as opposed to fees for services, they are sparse, and existing facilities may have a lengthy waiting period for appointments. This lack of access can discourage people from seeking any medical care except in emergency cases, which creates an immense burden on the entire health care system--free or for-profit--not to mention endangering people's health.
Time
Once you get an appointment or register for care, you may have to wait an extraordinary amount of time before you are seen by a provider. Because there is an excess of people who need free health care and a shortage of funding and facilities, it creates an endless cycle of inefficiency that is a burden to all parties involved. Take, for example, a person who waits 2 months for a primary care visit, then waits 5 to 6 hours at the doctor's office only to be referred to a specialist that may take 3 to 4 months to make an appointment. This inertia in medical care delivery is a dangerous way to receive and practice health care.
Quality
The quality of medical care is an issue in the free sector, but not for the reasons most people may assume. Providers who accept lower wages to work in free health care settings usually have a true desire to help those in need and are well educated in their field. However, the lack of the latest equipment, adequate medical supplies and pharmaceuticals may lower the quality of care entirely. No matter how good doctors and nurse may be, if their facilities cannot provide the diagnostic services, medical supplies and medications, there is not much they can do about the lack of quality of care their facility provides.
Follow-Up
Because oftentimes lines are long and waits are substantial at some free health care facilities, it can mean that the follow-up care may suffer as well. If a provider is so encumbered with patients as a result of the lack of free health care facilities, it naturally follows the time it takes to follow-up with a patient will be slower.
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