Executive Summary
A Universal and Utilitarian Healthcare System for the United States of America

The average life expectancy in the United States ranks 25th in the world (Averill). The World Health Organization ranks the U.S. health status as 49th among 50 industrialized nations (Zavadsky). U.S. infant mortality rates are 22nd or 23rd in the world. Yet the United States spends more than any other nation on healthcare: a full 14% of its Gross National Product (Marano). Furthermore, the U.S., with one-sixth of the world's population, utilizes one-third of the planet's national resources (SoI.F.A.T.Bbviously, at least in regard to health status and healthcare, money and resources do not equate with quality.

As an American-trained primary care physician practicing in the U.S. for the past 20 years, I have had many opportunities to observe and participate in the present healthcare system. It is apparent to me that the current system is on the verge of collapse, mainly because of its financial unsustainability.

I now propose a central public healthcare system for the U.S. that will be both universal and utilitarian. It will be universal in that it will include any U.S. resident who ~foost=s it and will cover all aspects of health maintenance and healthcare. The plan will be utilitarian and thus based on common sense and the aim of "the greatest good for the greatest number" (Solomon). The new system will be a rationed plan of care with limits on spending, but with the ultimate decision left within the hands of each community, through local financial and ethics committees. A major emphasis will be on prevention rather than treatment. Information technology will be integral. Finally, each individual's health will ultimately rest in his own hands.

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