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Sociology Paper
Cindy Hassan 1.22.13
Scarnati Pd. 3 Sociology Final Many observers of contemporary American society can argue that the social institutions within our nation are indubitable in a state of crisis simply by observing the internal workings of the economy or health care. Crisis is typically defined as, “A situation that has reached a critical phase and, thus, is in need of radical transformation.” Based on the definition of crisis one, especially an individual who lives in America, can adamantly concur that the economy and health care institutions in American society are in need of an extreme transformation for a multitude of reasons. Health care in American society is a necessity for a functioning society; its purpose is to ensure that those who are in need of assistance when ill or injured will justly be given the aforementioned aid. The institution of health care in the United States embodies a capitalistic approach within its internal operations: the goal of most insurance companies is to gain profit, similarly to the thousands of capitalistic corporations in the country. However, many argue that the health care system in the U.S. is inefficient in providing a just system for all its citizens. The issues with the health care institution in American society can be attributed to a myriad of catalysts. The unequal access of health care can be argued from a conflict theorists perspective as an incredible flaw in the health care institution. Inequality in health care is an inevitable result of a capitalistic society where medicine and health care are bought and sold, therefore most of the people who obtain medical services are paying for them through insurance companies or a direct fee payment system; the average American

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