Eleven people died of coronavirus epidemic in the United States on March 5 and, according to official figures, affected more than 150 people, but it is already causing unprecedented debates. How to ensure access to care for all Americans, regardless of their level of social protection? Faced with threats of the spread of the virus, even the most convinced supporters of an individualized and private healthcare system seem to discover the limits of the American model.
For example, Ted Yoho, elected Republican of Florida and one of the most ardent opponents of Obamacare, the health insurance system put in place by the Democrats ten years ago to guarantee protection to the greatest number, who Now advocates testing and treating the 27.5 million Americans without insurance for free. "You can see subsidized medicine there, but faced with an epidemic, what are the other options?" ", he asked himself.
For now, the Trump administration has discussed possible use of emergency funds released in the event of natural disasters, which would pay hospitals and health professionals directly. But no decision has been made. Also the statement by Vice President Mike Pence, charged by Donald Trump to oversee the management of this health crisis, assuring Tuesday that "All Americans who wish can be tested", she left the experts skeptical.
Staggering bills
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives adopted text unlocking $ 8.3 billion in emergency aid to support states in their fight against the pandemic and fund research on a vaccine. The Senate was due to adopt it on Thursday before presenting it for signature to the President. The Governor (Democrat) of New York has already asked private insurers and the Medicaid public system, health coverage for the poorest, to take charge of care linked to the epidemic. "The question of cost cannot be an obstacle to accessing the coronavirus test", he defended. Other states could follow his example.
In the meantime, uninsured (or ill) insured persons potentially affected by the virus have two options: delay their treatment in the hope that the disease will recede or, if their condition worsens, go to the emergency room of a hospital, without knowing the amount of the invoice which will then be sent to them. Even insured, many Americans are traditionally inclined to postpone care for lack of ad hoc insurance.
