Explain why the lack of universal health care coverage can raise health care costs?
2 answers
The theory is that folks don't go to the doctor until they are critically ill because of the cost.
Also, a lot of the most expensive sorts of healthcare (e.g. dialysis for diabetes) are the result of chronic conditions that often can be prevented. If everyone saw a doctor at the onset of symptoms, or was able to access healthcare professionals who could advise on diet and other sorts of prevention, many diseases could be controlled or cured early on. Lastly, some contagious diseases (e.g. TB) aren't diagnosed because the most vulnerable are often too poor to afford going to a doctor. The result is that these diseases are spread to others--which is very costly for the healthcare system.