The VIP Health Care Divide

Oleh Admin 30 Jan, 2024 Posting Komentar

Wealth and longevity seem to go hand in hand. The concept of the VIP healthcare system emerged as a reminder of the inequalities in our society. Consider the extraordinary life expectancy of some public figures such as Queen Elizabeth II and Rosalyn Carter, while the average American life expectancy is just over 76 years. This is no coincidence, as the elite have access to a different form of healthcare: VIP services, which are superior to regular medical services available to the general population. The life expectancy of the rich raises an important question. Is the secret of a long life only a privilege of the rich?

The privileged class has access to exclusive clinics affiliated with major medical institutions, including the University of Michigan's Concierge Executive Health program, which promises specialized, in-depth and personalized care beyond what is offered to the general public. VIPs enjoy preferential treatment such as fast access to specialists, priority surgeries and exclusive access to the latest medical advances. This VIP clinic allows its patients to stay on exclusive floors with luxurious amenities such as chef-prepared meals and dedicated medical facilities.

In terms of profit, medical professionalism can be adopted by rich and powerful VIPs. The term VIP refers to patients who consciously or unconsciously pressure healthcare providers to treat them with special care. Under close supervision, these medical professionals began to overcompensate for treatment of VIP patients, potentially increasing the cost of routine examinations.

Unlike VIP patients, most people are unable to pay for healthcare costs out of pocket. This area of health care has become inaccessible to the average citizen and has hindered the progress of health equity. Everyone deserves the opportunity to live the healthiest lifestyle possible, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

These forced clinics perpetuate the idea that some lives are more valuable than others. The existence of these structures reflects and reinforces a social structure that prioritizes well-being and ridicules those who cannot afford it. Clinics that serve high-profile individuals can focus attention, resources, and medical staff on the needs of these individuals, thereby distancing them from other patients in the same facility. This extra attention creates an overburdened system that inadvertently harms the well-being of those unlucky enough to be labeled VIPs.

Health gives individuals the time and resources to take preventative health measures, revealing real socioeconomic inequalities. Research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has shown that the richest 1% of men live 14.6 years longer than the poorest 1%. VIP patients pay more for VIP treatment and get better results.

To be fair, some patients, such as Some people, such as celebrities or politicians, may need special care to protect their privacy due to legitimate health concerns. In 2007, 27 employees at a New Jersey hospital were fired for viewing George Clooney's medical records without his consent following his motorcycle accident.

Some say hospitals that offer VIP health services could theoretically use the higher rates for those services to subsidize care for low-income patients. The idea seemed attractive. By serving wealthy communities, hospitals could generate additional revenue to support those in need and fund unprofitable businesses. However, this argument ignores the basic principles of health economics and the financial incentives that drive these programs.

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In practice, hospitals that implement VIP programs often emphasize profit maximization over equitable redistribution of resources and focus on attracting high-paying customers rather than improving access and convenience for all patients. This approach does not address the causes of health inequalities. This perpetuates a model where access to quality services depends on financial demands, exacerbating rather than reducing existing inequalities. This imbalance is not only inequitable, but also results in systemic failure, where health care resources are allocated based on financial ability rather than medical need. To truly address health disparities, systemic reforms must prioritize equal access to health resources and challenge the profit-driven incentives that maintain the exclusivity of health.

To create a fair and just society, it is important to carefully examine the structures that perpetuate inequality. VIP health is a system that favors the privileged and harms everyone else. Dismantling the existing welfare hierarchy requires changes in mindsets and social values. Everyone has the right to a long and healthy life, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Everyone has the right to challenge the status quo and work towards a healthcare system that prioritizes the well-being of all people.

Jovanna Gallegos is an opinion columnist who can be reached at jovanna@umich.edu .