Increasing employment rates and restoring economic welfare is vital to reducing the debt crisis. Along with these strategies, a focus on tax structure and spending restraints should be made to improve the situation. Currently, the percentage of debt crisis doubled and reached 69 % in 2008 (Clinton, 2011). The problem, however, is closely connected with inflation in healthcare expenditures and, as a result, it is projected that the debt can increase up to 100 % by 2021 (Clinton, 2011). To alleviate the crisis, three decisions should be made. First, it is necessary to cut the expenditures below the expected projection. Second, it is necessary to raise taxes and, finally, improve the economic situation in the country.
Hence, Clinton approves the idea of reducing spending and raising taxes to cope with the debt crisis. Moreover, the ex-president focuses on these strategies to be done simultaneously with those triggering the economic growth. To eliminate the budget deficit and contribute to the U.S economy, Clinton (2011) suggests that money should be redirected from military force insurance to Medicaid. Relocation of resources is justified by unnecessary investing in the military budget because war actions in Iraq and Afghanistan calm down. Increasing budgeting of health care, therefore, can contribute to the social and economic welfare of the U.S. population. Spending in certain fields, however, cannot be cut because it will negatively influence the country’s readiness to avert conflicts and emergencies in the future. Increasing taxes should be beneficial because it implies a direct decline of debts with no increase introduced to total revenues.
To reduce expenditures on health care, several tactics can be introduced. To begin with, it is purposeful to make a shift from a pay-for-procedure scheme to a pay-for-performance system (Clinton, 2011). Further, it is also necessary to focus on the development of innovative health care. For example, Clinton (2011) refers to a coordinated care system arranged by companies to monitor employees’ welfare. Finally, the debt crisis can be reduced by improving the healthy lifestyles of U.S citizens (Clinton, 2011). All these approaches will contribute to the strength of the policy, except for certain aspects constituting the main weakness. In particular, pay-for-performance does not always contribute to the quality of healthcare and, as a result, patients might receive treatment below their expectations.
On the one hand, the proposal introduced by the Simpson-Bowles Commission seems to be reasonable because it can stabilize the incomes and revenues of various social layers of the population (Feldstein, 2011). On the other hand, imposing greater tax rates on wealthier individuals does not contribute to public policy because of unequal opportunities offered to the entire population. From this perspective, the Commission does not improve a favorable social environment. Rather, it creates discrepancies among various communities. However, these problems are insignificant as compared to the benefits the program can provide for the health care system because of raised incomes and increased employment rates.
In conclusion, health care policies should be in close congruence with social and economic reforms introduced in the country. In this respect, the U.S. government should approach the crisis debt systematically and in cooperation with many fields. In order to alleviate the problem, the focus on resources relocation in health care, increased taxes, and growth of economic welfare should be made. Rearranging resources within a health care system is also a step forward to reducing costs in other spheres of life.
References
Clinton, B. (2011). So What about the Debt? In. B. Clinton Back to Work: Why We Need Smart Government for a Strong Economy. US: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. 55-83.
Feldstein, P. J. (2011). Health Policy Issues: An Economic Perspective. US: Health Administration Press.