In many societies in the world, the population is ageing rapidly and this is leading to an unsustainable increase in the cost of public healthcare. A nation_s population should pay for their healthcare provision in the future. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.

Advances in medical science are resulting in prolonged

there is

knock-on effect for public

services with many hospitals struggling to

with an aging populace. Many countries enjoy the benefits of free or

national public

services.

, there are some within

management who

that

provision will become

, and I firmly agree that changes need to be made in order to

changing reality. Despite the notion that

should be ‘free_,

care is

funded by the taxpayer. To give a specific example, a recent

in my country established that almost 40% of the nation_s tax

is distributed to

and some 80% of that figure is reserved

treating the elderly.

is a disproportionate amount of money which

greatly increased the burden on the state and existing funding is no

sufficient to meet these needs.

is turn impacts on the standard of

that can be provided as shown by numerous negative media reports

the conditions for both staff and patients. If we want quality

, clearly

financial burden needs to be alleviated.
One way to do so would be to increase the contributions made by citizens

increased taxation.

could encourage

who can afford it to take up private

arrangements. By

to a private model, the well-off can afford a higher quality of care,

at the same relieving pressure on public services for those who do not

the means to go private.
One thing is for certain, an ageing population has increased the pressure on

provision. If we are going to maintain the standards of

that we are used to, more funding needs to be found either

taxation and alternative forms of provision should be considered.

, standards will fall and people_s lives will be put at risk.