Abstract This paper explores the NationalHealth Service (N.H.S.) in the United Kingdom. In this study, the writer claims that the N.H.S. is in crisis. The writer explains that this crisis results from extensive progress in the field of medicine, together with high expectations of the N.H.S. to offer top health care, at no cost to the individual patient. In addition, this paper explores the quality of management within the N.H.S.
From the Paper "The N.H.S. has been in existence for many years. Each successive government has tried to reform the system in order to make it more efficient and effective. The N.H.S. is in crisis and the crisis results from the extraordinary advances in medical science, combined with expectations that the NHS will provide the finest health care anywhere at no cost to the patient. This paper explores how rationing reduces the quality of health care and the alternatives to rationing."
Tags: Quality of management in NationalHealth Service United Kingdom. Quality, Health Care, Rationing, NationalHealth Service, NIH, Rationing, Private health care providers, Managed Care, Commodity.
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to analyze how and why a nationalhealth plan should be introduced in the United States. Health care in the United States is a big business. As such, a nationalhealth plan threatens the bottom lines of gigantic health maintenance organizations who have fought nationalhealth care consistently. They fight a plan that could cause their demise, but ensure the increased health and well being of millions of Americans. The paper argues that it is time we stopped letting big business set the agenda for the health of the American people.
From the Paper "However, there were many proponents to the plan. Some experts felt the plan was not comprehensive enough, and did not cover enough basic, preventative health care. For example, the plan did not cover some areas of mental health treatment, such as alcoholism. Others felt it should not be affiliated at all with health insurance plans. Then there were the social implications of including such treatments as abortion, physician assisted suicide, and euthanasia in the areas of treatment. All of these concerns were eventually answered, but they raised questions in the minds of the public that were never quite eliminated."
Abstract The paper discusses a plan to create a nationalhealth insurance system. This system would have a reasonable but sufficiently high co-payment to instill responsibility and would be means-tested so as to protect the truly poor and assure that they get the health care they need. The paper examines the issues of developing a nationalhealth insurance system and compares the health care that is provided in the United States with other countries that already offer some form of nationalhealth insurance. The proposed plan would avoid some of the problems people fear might develop while offering the benefits people need.
From the Paper "In the effort to make the individual exhibit greater responsibility for his or her own health and so to promote more preventive care, the only system that has a good chance of working on a national basis is a form of national health insurance. HMOs work to minimize costs and to reduce overuse of the health care system, but the emphasis is on denying service and denying expensive procedures, many of which are badly needed and which can create higher future costs when denied in a timely manner. A national health insurance system with a reasonable but sufficiently high co-payment to instill responsibility, means-tested so as to protect the truly poor and assure that they get the health care they need is the best approach. Other countries already provide some form of national health insurance and manage to do so at a lower cost than the U.S. ...."
Abstract This paper explains that the primary reason for the increased concern about nationalizedhealth care is the growing demographic in the U.S. of the 60-80 year old age group and their required medical care and maintenance. The author points out that two solutions considered are a nationalhealth care system and a 'play or pay' system, each of which has its drawbacks and benefits; however, many critics feel that neither system would be advantageous for the U.S. The paper stresses that a nationalhealth care system, which forces employers to purchase health insurance could be devastating to employees because employers, who might have difficulties paying the additional costs, might have to hire fewer employees or even let some employees go.
From the Paper "Recently the state of Massachusetts has touted the fact that it is considering creating a law that forces its citizens to have health insurance. On the face of it, health insurers would probably be happy about that, after all more individuals purchasing their product would make any company happy, right? Not necessarily. Having to cover every individual, even unhealthy or at-risk individuals, could cost the firms more revenue than what they could generate with the additional customers."
Tags: stakeholder, employers, insurance, laws, korea
Abstract This paper asserts that the U.S., being such a rich nation with so many
uninsured individuals, makes national healthcare and nationalhealth insurance a major ethical issue: Nationalhealth insurance is a political idea which must be resolved. The author points out that the proponents of national healthcare tend to emphasize, in different shades of reasoning according to the cost proposed, the argument that the right to free or affordable healthcare is inalienable; whereas, people in opposition state that the current healthcare system barely works; moreover, it worked better before the current move toward affordable healthcare systems such as Medicaid, Medicare and HMOs became widespread. The paper suggests that the present managed care system will most likely be expanded, but there still will be application-based and ethical imperatives about government controlled healthcare programs as supplementary services and their position in a dynamic healthcare economy, which is becoming increasingly privatized.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Pros and Cons of National Healthcare
Socio-Economic and Ethical Issues
Recommendations
Conclusion
From the Paper "Another way of simplifying the current system which confuses so many with its complexities is to look at the ways in which we as a society define health. Health may be conceptualized either as a state of being free from disease or as a constant striving for physiological, psychological, and spiritual wellness. The former approach is a relatively
narrow one and has as its counterpart in ontology, whereby disease is a specific thing external to the individual which must be warded off. There are approaches that are more holistic in addressing the needs of the whole person. Among other things, rather than seeing disease as the negation of health, this simplified point of view envisions the possibility of living a healthy lifestyle even with a chronic condition like diabetes, high blood pressure, or HIV."
Abstract This paper discusses the concept of a nationalhealth care plan for the United States. It first discusses the current health care situation in the United States and the financial costs that currently exist. The paper then examines how a nationalhealth care plan would work and the advantages of such a system over the current health care situation. The writer states her own opinion on the healthcare debate and concludes that one thing remains certain... the larger the number of citizens covered by the health care plan, better for the nation itself, for its tax payers and for the health of its present and future generations.
Table of Contents:
Overview
The Concept of "NationalHealth Care Plan"
What exactly does it mean "NationalHealth Care"?
Advantages
Conclusion
Annex
From the Paper "On the other side, experts agree that without imposing a mandate, some 15-26 million people would not be covered , the Clinton campaign putting the same figure at around 15 million people. Obama's argument is that a mandate "might not be enforceable", and that if a health insurance can be afforded and is attractive, most people will surely enroll.
The idea of an individual mandate regarding the national health care system - sustained by Senator Clinton - thus requiring people to get covered by a health insurance - has maybe more chances to reduce the problem of having more people covered, as in general mostly people who expect to get sick are buying coverage and insurers are denying coverage to those that most probably will have high medical costs...
"Additionally, having more people - especially healthy people - enter in the insurance pool, it will be easier to protect people against the risk of high medical costs... which is in fact the main purpose of an insurance policy."
Abstract This paper states that it would be beneficial for the U.S. to implement a nationalizedhealth care program. The paper reports that Navarro examines how the elimination of the cost barrier provides encouragement for individuals to seek health services. The author believes that the many factions which make-up the operation of the US health care service, such as doctors, insurance companies, hospitals and various population segments would work against the policies aimed at creating a nationalizedhealth care program.
From the Paper "In the first paragraph, Navarro makes the assertion that the "Commission of Social Inequalities in Health" found that ? social inequalities in the use of the Spanish National Health Service have disappeared?. In other words, the variables such as: cost, access, and quality of care no longer inhibit certain sectors of the population from utilizing health care services. It is clear that within the United States certain persons are more likely to use health care services due to the ability to pay and access those resources. It is important that the U.S. looks to Spain's model as a way to decrease medical inequalities."
Abstract This twelve-page undergraduate paper examines and analyzes whether the United States should adopt a nationalhealth care policy. Upon an evaluation of the issue the paper concludes that a nationalhealth care policy is required in order to honor our nation's long commitment to equality and justice for all Americans, not just those with money or political influence.
Abstract This paper analyzes the state of the nationalizehealth insurance in the U.S. It describes the main factors contributing to the inability of the working poor and the lower-middle class to find medical insurance and discusses their increasing health care costs. The paper then discusses various possible solutions to the growing health insurance dilemma.
From the Paper "Those who do not believe that Taiwan is sufficiently similar to the United States may feel like the success of a national insurance program in Taiwan does not indicate that an American system would find similar success. Of course, the logical response to these objections is to point out that America and Canada are tremendously similar countries, but that Canada has had a nationalized health insurance program since the 1960s. (Krauss). In addition, many European countries, which share the same capitalist economic system as the United States, have extremely successful nationalized health insurance programs."
Abstract This paper discusses reform in the context of socialized medicine in countries such as the United Kingdom. The paper describes how the "Making It Better" document, upon closer examination, has vague or conflicting interests between the proponents and the public. The paper explains that as a matter of medical economics, the NationalHealth Service has decided to put forward plans to help the meager health care workforce cope with the ever increasing demand for health care, while maintaining a high quality of care and training for all its health care professionals.
From the Paper "Socialized medicine in countries such as the United Kingdom have provided excellent, free health care to thousands of patients that could not have otherwise received it elsewhere. However, in light of the increasing patient load, slow turnout of specialists (especially doctors) due to scattered and few training positions disproportionate to the number of new medical graduates, among other issues, the service providers have slowly been overwhelmed. As a matter of medical economics, the National Health Service (NHS) has decided to put forward plans to help the meager health care workforce cope with the ever-increasing demand for health care while maintaining a high quality of care and training for all its health care professionals."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the U.S. health policies and institutions, intended to treat the sick, take care of the people with disabilities and support the senior citizens. According to the paper, access to the healthsystem is sometimes guaranteed for all citizens, and other times it depends on the contribution made to the health funds. The paper discusses how the quality of health services differ from person to person, depending on their socio-economic status and their personal features (such as race or sex).
From the Paper "Still, it is more than attitude involved here. The situations can be extremely varied, depending on many factors, from one place to another. In third world countries (and if we only think about the genital mutilation practices still existing in some African countries), or in places where the role of women is of little importance, or where the education is scarce, or where the resources are limited - to discuss about inequalities in health here would be almost redundant, since inequality is part of every aspect of life. Nonetheless, the health system is filled with injustices even in the developed countries, where, for example, the life expectancy is shortened by socioeconomic disadvantages. "
Abstract This paper discusses the Community HealthSystems (CHS) - large corporations that own and operate full-service hospitals in non-urban areas. It sets out the history of CHS, how it is managed and how the company analyzes its mission and its operation to see how the two mesh and to determine the population served, the various services that are most needed, and ways of reducing costs and laws that may apply to the operations in different states.
Outline:
Introduction
Community HealthSystems Company History
Company Management
Management Chart
Medical Technology
Conclusion
From the Paper "Materials management is another important function in healthcare facilities, and computer programs have been developed for this purpose as well. There are some two dozen materials management systems available from various vendors today, and these are compared by Adams (1996) to show the features of each and the ways in which they can be used. Adams notes that the extraordinary quantities of data generated from medical supply contracts requires the implementation of materials management programs so that this can no longer be seen as an option but a necessity. These systems offer considerable advantages which contribute to their value, and these systems can supply virtually instantaneous access to all pertinent data, including revenue projections. The systems can help control costs to a significant degree, making materials management a critical aspect of any integrated health care environment (Adams, 1996, pp. 63-65)."
Abstract This paper begins by providing an in-depth history of Britain's NHS. It identifies problem areas that have emerged in relation to NHS, with an attempt made to address the manner in which such problems have historically influenced reform efforts. It then moves to the present day and examines a summary of the 2000 NHS Plan. It explains the economic and social implications of this plan. It then looks at some of the differences that may exist in health care systems. It reviews the major types of health insurance systems utilized currently within Japan, Sweden, and Canada, and then provides a brief comparison between these systems and the NHS in the UK. It finally looks at where the World Health Organization and health care funding systems fit into the NHS.
Outline
Historical Perspective
Summary of 2000 NHS Plan
Review of Healthcare Systems in OECD Countries
World Health Organization and Health Care Funding
Conclusion
From the Paper "With the passage and associated provisions of the NHS Act of 1946, NHS was implemented in the UK in 1948. The NHS Act of 1946 served as the means by which a pattern of health service finance and provision was established in the UK following World War II (Baggot, 1998). According to Baggot, on the basis of the Act, the principle of collective responsibility by the state for the establishment of a comprehensive health service system was introduced, allowing for the planned use of services by the entire population at no cost. It was also intended that equality of access to services would be incorporated within NHS as a consequence of the availability of health services at no charge."
Abstract This paper discusses the issue of the economic effectiveness of tort law in the common law legal system of England and Wales, as applied to medical and clinical negligence and malpractice cases. It looks at how in response to economic concerns and a continual rise in cases, an examination of the consideration of a proposed no-fault alternative to the current system is underway. It explores the basis of the current system, the impetus for change and the characteristics of no-fault reform as experienced by other countries and its pros and cons. The principal aim of tort reform is to limit the legal or financial exposure of the NHS (NationalHealthSystem) to liability for damages and to streamline the process of compensation for plaintiffs.
Outline
The United Kingdom
Introduction
Statistics Regarding Claims
The NationalHealthSystem Obstacles to Due Process
The Case for Reform
The Regulatory Environment
The Rising Cost of Litigation
Lord Woolf's Reforms
More Cost Controls
The United States
Introduction
The St. Paul's Pullout
The Insurance Industry
Tort Reform In America
Fleeing Physicians
Statistics for Error, Injury and Death
The Call for Reform in 2003: A Familiar Refrain
The United States Situation, in Summary
New Zealand Case Studies
The Swedish Scheme
A Comparison: Which System is Better?
First: Underlying Differences
Talking Tort: American Peculiarities
Americans Consider No-Fault
Britain Considers No-Fault
Conclusion
Works Cited
Appendix A
From the Paper "When St. Paul?s, the largest writer of medical malpractice policies, ceased to offer the coverage in 2001-2002, it was the a consequence of the attention that had been focused on the administration of this type of coverage. A 1989 investigation of St. Paul's and one other insurer initiated by Michael Hatch, then Commerce Commissioner of Minnesota, revealed that over a six-year period premiums had increased 300 percent while claims had not. Hatch was quoted as saying the reason for the increase was: "Because they had the opportunity to do it. There was a limited market. People need coverage. The companies knew they had a corner on it, and they raised their rates accordingly." In response, a group of surgeons from Charleston jointly sued St. Paul for "grossly poor management". St. Paul's consequently dropped that type of coverage as part of its portfolio."
This paper discusses the survivability of the UK nationalizedhealth care system by reviewing its history, organization, and programs, and by comparing it to three other nationalizedhealth services.
Abstract This paper explains that the NHS was established on the principle of the collective responsibility of the state to implement a comprehensive health care system designed to meet the health care needs of the total population, in which all UK citizens would have equal access to health care services at no charge. The author points out that it was assumed, as health care improved, demand would decrease; but, within a very short period, the government found itself faced with too little funding to meet the persistent demand. The paper contends that Japan, Sweden, and Canada appear to have incorporated better provisions to insure that equal access is guaranteed to constituents as compared to the UK's NHS. Table.
Table of Contents
Historical Perspective
Organization of the Study
Summary of 2000 NHS Plan
Current and Future Health Status and Healthcare Needs in the UK
Alternative Health Care Systems Review of Healthcare Systems in OECD Countries
Japan
Sweden
Canada
Comparison of NHS with the Healthcare Systems of Japan, Sweden and Canada
World Health Organization and Health Care Funding
Current Trends in Healthcare Privatization
Conclusions
From the Paper "The Plan, as reported by the Department of Health (2000), is also designed to insure that the needs of the elderly are better met. The Plan includes the incorporation of national standards for caring for older people to ensure that ageism is not tolerated and personal care plans for the elderly and their caregivers will be provided, with nursing home services made free by 2004. There also will be an additional ?900 million package of new intermediate care services to allow older people to live more independent lives. The NHS Plan also includes further efforts to insure that inequalities amongst patients are targeted, with a focus on increasing and improving primary care in deprived areas; the introduction of screening programs for women and children; the provision of step up smoking cessation services; and the provision of free fruit in schools for 4-6 year olds."
Tags: accessibility, responsibility, japan, canada, sweden
