Use of immunizations to prevent disease
Who should pay the cost of healthcare for preventable illnesses? This is a hot topic of debate in healthcare today. Preventable illnesses include the following:
- Smoking cigarettes and its link to cancer
- Obesity and its Association with Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes
- Use of immunizations to prevent disease or reduce the likelihood of serious infection or hospitalization
There have been increases in vaccine-preventable illnesses in recent years. These illnesses include measles, chickenpox, HPV, influenza, and now COVID-19.
Insurance companies did not charge patients for out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 during the early days of the pandemic. It is estimated that “some 88% of people with insurance coverage would have paid nothing if hospitalized” (Hart, 2021). That may change. Vaccines are now available, free, and proven effective at preventing serious illness and hospitalization. Many insurance companies are shifting the cost of COVID-19 treatment back to the patient (Hart, 2021).
Review the health and economic costs of chronic diseases in this article.
Watch this short video on the cost of being unvaccinated for COVID patients, and take a stance in the debate.
Consider the following in your response:
- Who do you think should pay for the cost of treatment associated with a preventable disease?
- What specific examples support your choice?
