My American Dream
By Aniyah McLemore
Inkspot First Place Essay
Contest Winner
Americans pay almost four times as much for healthcare as other developed countries. The majority of people in America need some form of professional healthcare each year. Of this population, 28% have refused, postponed, and/or have been denied healthcare due to the cost. (1) America as a whole would benefit from free healthcare because it would improve public health, reduce financial burdens, and increase financial productivity. Healthcare is a widely debated topic in America, with many differing opinions. I believe America is not benefiting from the expensive costs of healthcare. I can only imagine a United States where healthcare is free. Some say that American healthcare costs must remain high to keep up with the global economy. In 2022 America spent over $4 trillion on health care. (2) Although healthcare in America is highly advanced compared to other countries, its high costs have many downsides.
As a result, we are losing valuable lives because America focuses on keeping up with the market. Firsthand, I watched my aunt make several calls requesting help regarding her health. She was postponed and even denied treatment due to insurance issues for months. This caused her to lose hope and try to put up with the pain on her own. Unfortunately, she had no choice but to wait until she could barely move before being rushed to the emergency room on November 16, 2024. By the time she finally received the professional help she needed, she was immediately diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. I will never forget the day I was in the car with my father on his birthday when we got the news that she had passed on December 20, 2024. I often wonder if healthcare had been more affordable, could I have had one more hug with my Lola? I have no doubt she would have attended the award ceremony for this essay contest just as she did every year.
Watching my grandmother be diagnosed with cancer in 2017 is what gave me the desire to make a difference in the healthcare field. At the age of 13, my business partner and I raised $1,261 for the American Cancer Society with the help of our community. (See Ink Spot Volume 4 - September 11, 2021). I have been inspired to become a nurse since I was young, and with that comes the fear that I will encounter patients who don’t have access to affordable healthcare. I believe no one should have to be unhealthy and worry about bills. A place that exists in my imagination today, is an America that protects its citizens by providing free healthcare for everyone.