Comparing Public Vs Private Health Care System Essay

Healthcare is one of the most controversial political priorities of our time. It affects the young and the old; males and females; the rich and the poor; healthy and unhealthy. It can be about something as mundane as a checkup to a matter of life or death. What makes provision of healthcare so complex is the correlation of delivery and expenses. This expensive commodity often depends upon a political outlook about society and the people living in the community. Each country has developed a delivery system but there continues to be dialogue about what system is best for the consumer yet fiscally responsible. I address the question: â€Å"Health Care is always an important topic of debate. Often this debate occurs in terms that compare public versus private health care system. After showing how the public option is associated with welfare state liberalism and the private option with neo-conservativism, which option do you prefer and why?†, and argue that in developed countries such as Canada, public healthcare is a more sustainable and superior system over private. Healthcare is always a hard topic to debate, with many variables therefore making it hard to decipher which one is the top ideology. To start, the difference between the ideologies are that public healthcare is associated with welfare state liberalism. This means that the government has a vast amount of interaction within the country. According to the book Overview of Health the main purpose of public healthcare isShow MoreRelatedComparing Public Vs Private Health Care Systems Essay1563 Words   |  7 PagesI address the question: ‘Health care is always an important topic of debate. Often this debate occurs in terms that compare public versus private health care systems. After showing how the public option is associated with welfare state liberalism and the private option with neo-conservatism, which option do you prefer and why?’, and I argue that a public health care system reflects a stronger more stable country. In regards to health care, there can be two ideologies that can be linked to each otherRead MoreHealthcare Systems And The United Kingdom1547 Words   |  7 Pagesbetween the healthcare systems of the United States and the United Kingdom and expands on what that means for the health and wealth of the citizens of these countries. The U.S. and the U.K. are two different countries with two very different healthcare systems. The U.S. healthcare system is the Affordable Care Act, (ACA) and is the attempt by the U.S. to provide affordable healthcare coverage. he U.K. healthcare system is publicly financed and managed by the National Health Service, (NHS). The URead MoreUs Healthcare Plan Vs. Uk Healthcare909 Words   |  4 PagesUS Healthcare Plan vs. UK Healthcare Plan While it s difficult to estimate the exact number of Americans without health insurance at any given moment, most credible sources place this figure at between 40 and 45 million. In other words, one American in seven lacks even basic health insurance coverage (How Many Americans Really Do Not Have Health Insurance? n.d.). The responsibility of an average American today, is to obtain healthcare insurance through private insurance, employer benefits, orRead MoreThe European And The North American Healthcare Systems1729 Words   |  7 Pagesthe north American healthcare systems have suffered in the past decade and to assess the efficiency of these systems. Special attention will be paid to the new healthcare project in the USA, the Obama-care, which has been seen by many americans as an ‘europeanised’ system. 1. Introduction Health services are built depending on three main factors of a country: economy, politics and culture. Health care systems not only help to the improvement of people’s health conditions but it also helps theRead MoreSocialized Healthcare Vs. Private Healthcare982 Words   |  4 PagesSocialized medical systems are designed to disregard the insurance industry and disregard income while providing health care for all. Healthcare in the United States is constantly changing and advancing, which requires the cost of health insurance to rise. The idea of socialized medicine is prominent, until the aspects of socialized medicine are brought to attention. Every aspect of a socialized health care industry is controlled and powered by the government; most doctors, nurses, medics and administratorsRead MoreThe Universal Health Care System1712 Words   |  7 PagesEvery country vision is to have a universal health care system. A system that is not necessary â€Å"free† but a syst em where everyone has equal opportunity to get the best health care being offered without any partiality. Canada successfully implemented the universal health care to its citizens, but it is not perfect in any sense. Individuals’ citizens are provided with preventive care and medical treatment from primary care physicians as well as access to hospitals. There are still many services thatRead MoreComparison and Contrasts of the United States and Canadian Health Care Systems1624 Words   |  7 Pagesthe United States and Canadian Health Care Systems The National healthcare debate is one that has been a continuing arguing point for the last decade. The goal is to provide healthcare to all Americans, regardless of whether they are able to afford insurance or not. In 2009, the U.S. National Health Care Act failed to come to be debated in the house. This Act would have called for the creation of a universal single-payer health care system. Under the policies this ActRead MoreHealthcare In The United States And Italy Case Study1396 Words   |  6 Pagescontinue to invest heavily in health care systems to improve the health standards of their citizens. Even though many countries have made significant milestones in their health care systems, other nations still lag behind due to lack of the appropriate technological infrastructure in health care. The United States and Italy are among the most developed countries in the world, and it is expected that the two nations spend huge amounts of money in their health care systems. Both countries have continuedRead MoreA Comparative Analysis of the Health Care System in France vs. the United States1318 Words   |  6 PagesA Comparative Analysis of the Health Care System in France vs the United States Introduction Everyone would agree that a good health system, above all, must contribute to good health. It is certainly not considered acceptable to protect or improve the average health of the population, if at the same time inequality worsens or remains high because the gain accrues disproportionately to those already enjoying better health. The responsibility of a health care system is also to reduce inequalitiesRead MoreEssay On American Health Care1274 Words   |  6 PagesBackground The American Health Care system has been a constant failure throughout history. We spend the most on healthcare which is 17.1% of our GDP. Compared to France (11.6%) and the U.K. (8.8%). When calculated it comes to $9,086 per person before inflation. We see the problem arising with individual spending for doctor visits, prescriptions, and health insurance we start to see the money pile up. To compare it to other countries only those in Switzerland paid $566 more than those in the U.S

Transitioning From Middle School At High School Now College

Transitioning from middle school to high school now college. Hardships and victories I have experienced it all. I have gone from the shy student to one of the most involved and active student in my school. I remember the beginning of sixth grade, just like it was yesterday. Walking through the doors I had my backpack and lunchbox in hand excited to pass all classes with no problem.Unfortanately that thought was just a thought. Over the course of the year I failed tremendously by receiving my very first unsatisfactory grade. Before I have never received anything lower than a â€Å"B†, so to see a â€Å"C† it was heartbreaking for me. I know most students would love to see a â€Å"C† on their report card, satisfied with the feeling of not failing. Every report card I kept getting that same feeling of disappointment of seeing that â€Å"C† on my report card. Fortunately throughout the rest of middle school I worked harder to make sure I didn’t receive a â€Å"C† again. The hard work payed off because I didn’t receive another â€Å"C†.Seventh through eighth grade I changed my demeanor, I started to actually have to put effort into learning and studying. I started to ask for help from my peers and teachers. This also was the beginning of me having to juggle playing a sport and schoolwork. I added an extra workload on me, in hopes that my grades wouldn’t slip. Playing a sport and keeping my academic grades up showed me that I could do anything I put my mind to. Freshmen year was like dà ©jà   vu, it was almost theShow MoreRelatedThe Most Memorable Writing Experience949 Words   |  4 PagesExperience: My Reflection on Writing I have been writing since I have been in Middle School. I have realized that by college it was easier for me to write down my thoughts in order for me to remember what I have said or done. Writing out my thoughts gives me a sense of recollection, knowledge, and pacification that gets me through my day. I pictured writing to be as simple as jotting down a few sentences, but as I got farther in school I realized that there is more to it than just writing sentences. EnglishRead MoreEducating Students Of All Ages Essay1464 Words   |  6 Pagesimportant. But middle school is such a critical time for students, and if they are not taught correctly it can mess them up down the road. Everything at this age is essential to their future because it sets the standard of how they will view education from then on. Middle schools are specially made for ages 10-14 because the needs for these transitioning students are met in middle schools. In middle school, young adolescents are beginning to go through major changes in their lives. From physical toRead More The Advantages of E-Textbooks Essays1590 Words   |  7 Pages Imagine a day when youngsters would leave for school carrying nothing more than an electronic device weighing less than one pound. The advent and growing popularity of electronic textbooks may make this a reality sooner rather than later. No more students trudging around with 20 pound backpacks strapped to their backs. No more lockers jammed with textbooks and notebooks. The benefits of transitioning to e-textbooks are many and provide advantages for both students and educators. ElectronicRead MoreGraduation Speech : High School College1505 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction: Incoming freshmen and students all over campus are struggling with the transition from high school to college. I personally had trouble transitioning into college and found myself to be confused when it came to figuring out how to study and what resources were available to me. One of the biggest issues students have is not being able to find the resources that they need. Whether it is finding tutoring or needing help with time management, it is difficult to find and determine whatRead MoreWhy Coaches Should Be A Champion Coach1709 Words   |  7 Pageseach one. I am trying to gain from this is a perspective. Looking forward to the future, I could see myself possibly coaching, and in order to be successful I must learn from the best coaching styles. Known Styles of Coaching There are arguably three coaching styles autocratic, democratic and laissez faire. The autocratic style can be broken down into two types - telling and selling and the democratic style into sharing and allowing. Very little direction comes from Laissez fair coaching styleRead MoreWhat Is Multiphrenia And Its Effect On Society Essay1304 Words   |  6 PagesAs humans evolve, we discover things about ourselves that may have once been thought of as taboo. We now realized that something that could have been taboo to some is something that is normal and is something that almost every human has to deal with. One concept that many felt could have been taboo, is the idea of multiphrenia. Multiphrenia is a syndrome â€Å"generally referring to the splitting of the individual into a multiplicity of self-investments.† This once taboo idea has become something thatRead MoreUniversity Of North Carolina - Greensboro Pail Program904 Words   |  4 Pages What I wanted to be when I grew up evolved many times through childhood. Even at high school graduation there was no definite decision and too much left to explore. Later, after years of working in schools as a volunteer, substitute teacher, and tutor, I still had not considered the field of special education. However, six months ago I accepted an offer to work as an exceptional children’s teaching assistant. Now I am surprised that my goal is to obtain a teaching license in special education; butRead MoreTeaching Certificate For Special Education936 Words   |  4 Pagesadulthood. What I wanted to be when I grew up evolved many times through childhood. Even at high school graduation there was no definite decision and too much left to explore. Later, after years of working in schools as a volunteer, substitute teacher, and tutor, I had not considered the field of special education. However, six months ago I accepted an offer to work as an exceptional children teaching assistant. Now I am surprised that my goa l is to obtain a teaching license in special education; but inRead MoreFirst Post, Here I Go !878 Words   |  4 Pageswhite collar crimes. Political thugs invaded my home and wrongfully sent her far away from me. That would result in six months of barbaric treatment that almost killed her. For the first three months, I was isolated in a house in the mountains, stalked by corrupt and dangerous individuals, and threatened by greedy individuals who sought to procure incriminating information about the company. Unable to attend school, my days were wrought with depression, chronic insomnia, and anxiety. Fearful thatRead MoreBlue-Collar Boomers Take Work Ethic to College by Libby Sander958 Words   |  4 PagesIn the article, â€Å"Blue-Collar Boomers Take Work Ethic to College† from Writing Now, author Libby Sander talks about workers in the baby boomer generation that are attending college to get new skills for the new jobs they hope to land. Sander says that middle aged people coming back to college is becoming more common as they become unable to do physical demanding jobs but are too young to retire (Sander 642). Sander starts with the story of Russell Kearney who, after ten years of working, ruptured

Nursing Ethics Medical Health Care Profession

Question: Discuss about the Nursing Ethics for Medical Health Care Profession. Answer: Introduction The medical healthcare profession is filled with complexity because in this working zone people have to deal with people (healthcare professional with the patients) within the scenario of laws, regulations and practice standards generating huge complexity. This complexity gives birth to legal and ethical issues at the end of time or at the end of life or at the end of the care process. Various different healthcare cases persist their own ethical dilemmas and legal issues where some get resolved with time and some become a matter of confusion and conflict (Gostin, 2010). Elwyn et al. (2012) studied that some of the major reasons giving rise to ethical and legal issues are related to relationships, malpractice, consent and confidentiality. Although there are laws, ethics and standards that work to manage these issues but still conflict occurs due to unintended action, which went wrong, both ethically and legally, yet the intention is considered as correct. This makes healthcare issues and conflicts most complex to be resolved and matter of concern. Gathering knowledge about ethics and law is considered to be most important part of nursing education. As a nursing professional learner in this study describes one such case scenario of ethical and legal conflict involving assault and battery issue. The learner identifies the stakeholders involves in the case scenario followed by determining the ethical and legal conflicts and explaining them as per rights of stakeholders, healthcare ethics and code of professional conduct. Lastly, the learner with their learning from nursing education tries to propose a legally and ethically defensible resolution to these conflicts in provided case scenario. Determining the stakeholders In the provided case scenario, 88 years old lady, Elsie Lee admitted to Residential Aged Care Facility was facing critical health issues and the unwillingness of recovery. She had entered the end of life stage and showed unwillingness of aggressive treatment and resuscitation. The Nurse Manager suggested her to develop her Advance Care Directive (ACD) that will involve her consent about the treatment. However, before getting the ACD developed she cleared that no aggressive treatment and resuscitation is required from her side. Further, in the situation of critical health issues where Elsie was found of developing the emergency condition, the concerned Registered Nurse that is learner suggested her movement to the emergency department of hospital irrespective of her consent. As per learners viewpoint and professional practice missing ACD form side of Elsie was the reason to provide required treatment. Further, the paramedics were also not listening to Elsies request to leave her in th is situation. Therefore, Registered Nurse (learner) and Paramedic staff are healthcare professionals that are directly involved in this case scenario. The Registered Nurse due to her action of treatment against the will of the patient and her family put her in this situation and Paramedic staff not listening to the patients end of life desire developed ethical dilemma in this case. Further, Bell et al. (2010) indicated that any medical professional should transit the importance information to involved staff related to the patient treatment process. Therefore, Nurse Manager for not providing guidelines to staff even after the expressed desire of Elsie for not getting aggressive treatment and resuscitation puts Nurse Manager also in this ethical dilemma. As the family of Elsie decided to sue the RN, paramedics and RAC facility, the complete management of Residential Aged Care Facility are including in this case scenario. The ethical and legal issue of assault and battery will involve complete healthcare facility management from Nurse Manager to Administration along with Registered Nurse and Paramedic staff of the hospital. Differentiating the ethical and legal conflicts In the provided case scenario, the ethical and legal conflict involves a multidisciplinary complexity where ethical dilemma involves conflict between patients respect for autonomy, professionals act of beneficence and non-maleficence to provide effective care. These three ethical principles clearly structure a conflict in this case scenario. Further, the legal conflict occurs between lack of informed consent and advance care directive from the side of the patient with the duty of care principles from the side of care providers. The dignity and rights of all stakeholders in this case The stakeholders directly involve in this case scenario is the learner (Registered Nurse) and paramedic staff where RN is observed to be involved in virtuous and Deontology whereas Paramedic is practising deontology to save the life of patient as per their professional duty of care that affects the patients libertarianism (dignity). According to Greenfield Jensen (2010), the dignity in healthcare is a very important aspect for both the patients and professionals. The concept of dignity involves giving and taking car with complete respect, trust, responsibility and honesty that is applicable to both the care user as well as provider. In this case scenario, the RN practicing as per virtuous and deontology the allegation of battery hurts RN duty of care principles. Gastmans (2013) indicated that as per Australian charter of healthcare rights the professionals and patients have equal right to access, safety, respect, communication, participation, privacy and comment. In the provided cas e, the stakeholders right of participation and respect is been exploited by the family of Elise. The RN had a right to get herself involves in the treatment process which is benne exploited by Elise family. However, professional (RN and paramedic staff) exploited the patients right to comment by ignoring the Elise wish for not getting any resuscitation or aggressive treatment. As Elise was in complete state of conscious her desire or comment should have been considered as a part of treatment process. This led to exploitation of her (Elise) libertarianism and right to comment as per healthcare charter rights. Further, Goethals, Dierckx de Casterle Gastmans (2012) indicated that as per ethical code of conduct in Australian healthcare, every professional has a duty to provide care to the patient, which is best for the patient as per ethical, legal and healthcare standards. Therefore, while practising as per their beneficence and duty of care, the aspect of ignoring patient consent created complexity in case scenario. The family of Elise not understanding the viewpoint of professionals leads to an issue of disrespect from viewpoint of professional practice in the healthcare. The condition of Elise in this case scenario was very critical and the action taken by RN was the only option to save her life. Therefore, the misperception about the nurses duty of care exploits the dignity of stakeholders in this case scenario. The principles and virtues of health care ethics that inform professional practice According to Aluwihare-Samaranayake (2012) studies, the healthcare principles design and structure the healthcare practice. These ethical principles involve non-maleficence, autonomy, beneficence and justice. The non-maleficence ensures no harm to the patient rather supports only beneficial treatment. The harm here involves harm of negligence and harm of violation the autonomy of the patient (Butts Rich, 2012). In the provided case, the RN and paramedic staff practice supported the ethics of non-maleficence by providing only beneficial treatment for avoiding negligence and risk occurring to Elise. The act conducted by RN also justified by the ethical principle of Beneficence. The Beneficence principle indicates that healthcare processes should only benefit the patient irrespective of the situation. Shorideh, Ashktorab Yaghmaei (2012) stated that as per beneficence ethical principles the assessment, treatment, actions, act or process in healthcare should aim only to benefit patient irrespective of the situation or circumstances. Therefore, the healthcare conduct committed by Registered Nurse, in this case, is justified as per the ethical principles of non-maleficence and Beneficence. However, these ethical principles conflict with another ethical principle of patients autonomy in this case scenario. Rogers (2012) indicated that as per the ethical principle of autonomy any patient in proper conscious and free of coercion has complete right to take the decision as per their desire of treatment and medical professionals should respect that decision. However, autonomy is applied only when the patient is in a complete state of conscious to take the decision. In the provided case, Elise expressed her desire of not taking any aggressive treatment and resuscitation even before her emergency condition. The only defect was her missing Advance Care Directive (ADC), which she was willing to prepare. However, as this was an end-of-life situation, the RN and paramedic staff has no option other than to provide any treatment to save Elise life. But, this act of beneficence by professionals conflicts with the autonomy of Elise. In end-of-life situation, it is difficult for profes sionals to accept the unwillingness of treatment without any ADC because it goes against their duty of care (Lillis et al. 2010). Therefore, the ethical principle of beneficence and non-maleficence conflict with the principle of autonomy in provided case scenario. The relevant codes of ethics and/or codes of professional conduct Haber Singh (2012) studied the code of professional conduct that describes the ethically justified nursing practice in Australian Healthcare Zone. There are ten professional codes of conduct that nurses and midwifery need to follow for ethically and legally justified nursing practice. Each and every code of conduct is determined as per ethical principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy and justice. In the present case scenario, the practice of learner as a Registered Nurse is as per the ethical principles of beneficence and non-maleficence. The relevant code of professional conduct supporting this practice are, code number seven describing that Nurses support the health, wellbeing and informed decision-making of people requiring or receiving care and code ten where it is mentioned that Nurses practice nursing reflectively and ethically (Moulton King, 2010). Further, the codes of ethics justifying this nursing practice are Nurses value quality nursing for all people and Nu rses value access to quality nursing and healthcare for all people. These were the relevant code of ethics and professional conduct that work to justify the nursing conduct or act of learner as a Registered Nurse in this provided case scenario. The sole aim of nursing practice is to provide best possible care for their patient, however, certain situations, phenomenons and viewpoint restrict this practice but still providing the duty of care is the legally and ethically justified action of any healthcare professional. Proposing legally and ethically defensible resolution The major identified issues in this case scenario are lacking professional informed consent or Advance Care Directive from side of patient followed by ethical dilemma between the autonomy of the patient and act of beneficence conducted by Registered Nurse and Paramedic Staff that is considered to be assault and battery by the family members of Elsie (patient) after her death. Ulrich et al. (2010) indicated that informed consent is a legal process where the patient or their family members need to sign an official form declaring their consent regarding treatment process. Therefore, as there was the unavailability of informed consent and advance care directive in this case, therefore, the act of Registered Nurse in this scenario can be ethically justified in this case. According to Aw et al. (2012) the overall between beneficence and autonomy can be resolved by establishing Ethics Committees that work to resolve the conflict of complex matter. For the given case scenario, the establishment of an ethical committee would be a good resolution technique where the chairperson from institution along with other members like the counsellor, professional. Psychologist and philosopher will work to decide the best judgement for provided case situation. This ethical committee is a legally and ethically functional as per Australian Health Ethics Committee (1996) recommendations. This ethical committee is an internal complaint resolution team of Aged care facility (RAC) that will follow Aged Care Act 1997, Complaint Principles 2011 and Aged Care principles provided by Australian Government (Gostin, 2010). This committee would work to explain the viewpoint of healthcare professionals to the family members of Elise and would expect honesty from the side of healthcare professionals. Ulrich et al. (2010) indicated that internal complaint resolution is the first act and instance to attain timely and sustainable solutions for improving aged care services. Therefore, this ethical committee should be considered as first and foremost resolution process implemented by Aged care facility to resolve the case issue. Conclusion The provided case scenario of patient Elise was detected to be an ethical dilemma between the beneficence and non-maleficence of the professionals and autonomy of the patient. The absence of advance care directive and informed consent also created complexity for professionals regarding the treatment process required at the end-of-life stage of Elise. As ethical dilemma is the part and parcel of healthcare professional where one has to deal with human lives, therefore, it is recommended to organisations for being prepared with resolutions to solve such issues regarding the ethical and legal conflict. For the provided case scenario, learner provides a resolution technique of establishing an ethical committee to handle the internal complaint by processing a meeting to explain and analyse the situation aspects for getting a proper judgement. In the provided case scenario, learner placed as Registered Nurse involves in ethical dilemma needs to be honesty for her action of treatment and si tuation for getting the proper judgement. References Books Lillis, C., LeMone, P., LeBon, M., Lynn, P. (2010).Study guide for fundamentals of nursing: The art and science of nursing care. Lippincott Williams Wilkins. Gostin, L. O. (2010).Public health law and ethics: a reader(Vol. 4). Univ of California Press. Butts, J. B., Rich, K. L. (2012).Nursing ethics. Jones Bartlett Publishers. Journals Moulton, B., King, J. S. (2010). Aligning Ethics with Medical Decision?Making: The Quest for Informed Patient Choice.The Journal of Law, Medicine Ethics,38(1), 85-97. Elwyn, G., Frosch, D., Thomson, R., Joseph-Williams, N., Lloyd, A., Kinnersley, P., Cording, E., Tomson, D., Dodd, C., Rollnick, S. and Edwards, A., 2012. Shared decision making: a model for clinical practice.Journal of general internal medicine,27(10), pp.1361-1367. Ulrich, C. M., Taylor, C., Soeken, K., ODonnell, P., Farrar, A., Danis, M., Grady, C. (2010). Everyday ethics: ethical issues and stress in nursing practice.Journal of Advanced Nursing,66(11), 2510-2519. Bell, K., Salmon, A., Bowers, M., Bell, J., McCullough, L. (2010). Smoking, stigma and tobacco denormalization: further reflections on the use of stigma as a public health tool. A commentary on Social Science Medicine's Stigma, Prejudice, Discrimination and Health Special Issue (67: 3).Social science medicine,70(6), 795-799. Greenfield, B. H., Jensen, G. M. (2010). Understanding the lived experiences of patients: Application of a phenomenological approach to ethics.Physical Therapy,90(8), 1185-1197. Shorideh, F. A., Ashktorab, T., Yaghmaei, F. (2012). Iranian intensive care unit nurses moral distress A content analysis.Nursing Ethics,19(4), 464-478. Haber, J., Singh, M. D. (2012). Legal and ethical issues.Nursing Research in Canada: Methods, Critical Appraisal, and Utilization,112. Gastmans, C. (2013). Dignity-enhancing nursing care A foundational ethical framework.Nursing Ethics,20(2), 142-149. Aw, D., Hayhoe, B., Smajdor, A., Bowker, L. K., Conroy, S. P., Myint, P. K. (2012). Advance care planning and the older patient.QJM,105(3), 225-230. Rogers, B. (2012). Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing Ethics and Professionalism.Workplace health safety,60(4), 177-181. Goethals, S., Dierckx de Casterle, B., Gastmans, C. (2012). Nurses decision?making in cases of physical restraint: a synthesis of qualitative evidence.Journal of advanced nursing,68(6), 1198-1210. Aluwihare-Samaranayake, D. (2012). Ethics in qualitative research: a view of the participants' and researchers' world from a critical standpoint. International Journal of Qualitative Methods,11(2), 64-81.

US Border Patrol Pros & Cons Essays (679 words) -

US Border Patrol: Pros & Cons The U.S. Border Patrol is the organization that polices the entry of illegal immigrants into our country. The official mission of the United States Border patrol is to protect the boundaries of the United States by preventing illegal entry, and by detecting, interdicting, and apprehending illegal aliens, smugglers, and contraband. Today, the United States Border Patrol consists of 21 sectors. Each sector is headed by a chief patrol agent. There are 145 stations located throughout the continental United States, and in Puerto Rico. The Border Patrol controls the border by land, sea, and air. The Border Patrol has jurisdiction across all United States borders and at least 25 miles off the border. The Border Patrol agents are responsible to check factories for illegal workers. As of September of 1995, the Border Patrol had 530 agents. The Border Patrol's efforts may be sufficient but many people believe that there are many problems in the methods of the Border Patrol. First, many people think that all of the equipment is costing the taxpayers too much. An estimation by TIME magazine states that in California alone, $400 million is spent on healthcare for illegal immigrants. CNN says that the care of illegal immigrants in one hospital in Jacksonville, Florida costs taxpayers $44.5 million. A Federal Government estimate says that $1.6 billion dollars is spent on the education of illegal immigrants each year in California alone. Just think of how much money is spent on illegal immigrants across the country. Now this is just the cost of the immigrants that get through the border patrol. These costs could be greatly lowered if the Border Patrol would do its job. Let alone the cost of the illegal immigrants that manage to get through the Border Patrol, the Border Patrol alone is costing plenty. In an overview, some people believe that we are spending too much money on the border patrol, considering that they simply are not doing their job. We are giving them so much money to get the latest equipment, but still people are getting through. The people in favor of the Border patrol have the basic idea that, yes, the Border Patrol used to be ineffective, but now due to many improvements in federal money, manpower, and technology the Border Patrol is very effective. They say that the reason for all the illegal immigrants in the U.S. is due to when the Border Patrol was not as effective as it could or should be. From the start of the Clinton administration, a $500 million crackdown on illegal immigration was put into effect, most of that money put into the Border Patrol. "Operation Gatekeeper" financed new lights, fencing, vehicles, equipment, and agents. It was the most extensive crackdown ever made against illegal immigrants. Robert Bach, the top policy and planning official for the immigration agency states, "It is a wonderful progress in an area where, frankly, most of us never believed that government intervention like this would work", "This is historic. These routes of travel that Mexicans have been using for decades. We have broken that up." After only one year of "Operation Gatekeeper," the size of the Border Patrol has doubled. The amount of immigrants caught has also almost doubled. In an overview of the supporters argument, they believe that new improvements in the Border Patrol have indeed decreased the amount of illegal immigrants and should be allowed continuing funding to further decrease the amount of illegal immigrants entering the country. As you can see, there are many different views toward the processes of the Border Patrol. There is no doubt that the Border Patrol and the illegal immigrants getting into the country is costing the American Government a lot of money, but is the money being spent as well as it could be? Do you think that there should be more or less funding of the border patrol? Where do you find yourself in this debate? Are you for or against the efforts of the United States Border Patrol?