Social Policy

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the four main functions of health care systems all over the world, which are required to ensure that the health care systems in their country are supervised and that laws and policies are implemented. The paper notes that health care systems around the world are comprised of a number of fundamental elements. The paper notes these as being a workforce that provides health care services, providers of health care equipment and medicines and educational and research institutions. The paper compares and discusses the fundamental services provided by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

From the Paper:

"The United States is the only major industrialized country in the world that does not regulate prices of prescription drugs (Vernon, 2006). The US health care system allows these agencies to work independently and allow competition among industries. This way, economic growth to these industries is encouraged. Citizens are given a choice on what kind of medications or insurance coverage they are willing to pay for. Also, medical and health information are gathered by these independent groups - hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, pharmaceuticals - without one congruent system. On the other hand, all activities involving social and health care services are all under the responsibility and control of the Northern Ireland Assembly or the United Kingdom (UK) Government, depending on the status of devolution."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Alliance for Health Reform. (2004) Health care coverage in America: Understanding the issues and proposed solutions [Internet], Cover the Uninsured. Available from: <http://covertheuninsured.org/materials/files/IssuesGuide.pdf>> [Accessed 10 March 2008].
• Banthin, J.S. & Taylor, A.K. (2001) Research findings #15: HMO enrollment in the United Stages: Estimates based on household reports, 1996 [Internet], Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Available from: <http://www.meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_files/publications/rf15/rf15.shtml> [Accessed 10 March 2008].
• Citizens Information. (2008) Social insurance in Ireland [Internet], Citizens Information Board. Available from: <http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/social-welfare/irish-social-welfare-system/social-insurance-prsi/social_insurance_in_ireland> [Accessed 10 March 2008].
• Department of Health, Social Service and Public Safety. (2007) DHSSPS Business Plan 2007-2008 [Internet], Northern Ireland Department. Available from: <http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/business_plan_0708.pdf> [Accessed 10 March 2008].
• Haslam, C. & Arriot, N. (2006) Accounting for reform: Funding and transformation in the four nation's hospital services. Accounting Forum, 30: 389-405.

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