In a country with arguably the best medical and scientific research
             facilities in the world, it is an anomaly that an estimated 44 million
             Americans do not have the resources for adequate medical care. In fact,
             the United States holds the dubious honor of being the only advanced
             industrial nation that does not offer a socialized system of medicine, one
             that gives its citizens access to universal health care.
             The growing number of uninsured Americans is a silent crisis that can
             have long-term effects on society. This paper argues that to avoid this
             crisis, the United States government must provide a universal health care
             system, making preventive and medical health treatment available for all
             The first part of this paper looks at the extent of this problem. The
             next part then discusses the many factors that contribute to the rise in
             the number of uninsured Americans. This section argues that contrary to
             conventional wisdom that uninsured people are lazy, many uninsured
             Americans are actually hardworking people who simply could not afford money
             In the second part, the paper evaluates proposals for health care
             reform, with a special focus on providing universal health insurance. This
             paper evaluates arguments presented against universal health care, and then
             looks at the success of such programs in Canada. In the conclusion, the
             paper argues that similar programs are sorely needed in the United States
             According to figures from the United States Census Bureau, the percent
             of uninsured Americans rose to 15 percent of the total United States
             population. This represents the greatest margin of increase in the past
             Another survey commissioned by the Kaiser Foundation and the
             television program Newshour with Jim Lehrer has uncovered more disturbing
             trends. In 2000, there were an estimated 44 million Americans who were
             living without any health insura...