Question

Please Answer in 3 sentences.

One of the concerns about a universal health care system, where ALL people would qualify and be able to receive health care, would be that certain types of care, and specific procedures would be "rationed." What does it mean to "ration" health care?

An older person who has multiple health problems and large health-care costs can "spend-down" each month so that they can be eligible for Medicare AND Medicaid. What does it mean to "spend-down?"

Answer 1

1. Health care can be considered a scarce resource, and all scarce resources are rationed in one way or another. In the United States, most healthcare is privately financed, and so most rationing is by price. An individual receives services that they or their employer can afford to insure them for. Rationing healthcare entails withholding potentially beneficial treatments from some individuals.

Please post the other questions separately as we are supposed to answer just one question or four sub parts of the same question.