The imperative for universal healthcare to curtail the COVID-19 outbreak in the USA

Abstract

The COVID-19 outbreak in the United States is growing steeply and spreading widely. As of March 26, national incidence surpassed every other country, and as of April 28 has reported over a million cases. The COVID-19 crisis is exposing the systemic frailties in our healthcare system. More than 78 million people in America do not have access to adequate health insurance [1]. Given that health insurance in the US is typically provided by employers, millions more are at risk of losing their healthcare coverage as unemployment surges. Here we discuss how the pervasive healthcare insecurity in the US hampers control of COVID-19. Further, we argue that universal healthcare would alleviate the cost barriers that are impeding control of this pandemic.