Abstract
This paper examines how the cost of prescription drugs is rising in the United States at a rate that outstrips the ability of people without health insurance to pay for them. It looks at how medications absorb up to 30% of the income of many senior citizens, and over 40 million Americans have no health insurance at all. It proposes that those without prescription insurance coverage be combined into one identifiable group eligible for the price discounts negotiated by HMOs and other coverage providers, thus giving all Americans access to volume discount prices for medications.

From the Paper
"Struggling with the cost of medications is not a new problem, and has been a topic of public debate since the 1950's when Senator Estes Kefauver led hearings regarding the pricing policies of the big pharmaceutical companies (Buell, 1999). He accused them of raising their prices unfairly. The industry replied that federal control on prices would devalue stocks and discourage research on new medications, just the claims made today. While there is no doubt that research done pharmaceutical companies has resulted in many new and valuable medications, research is not their only expense. Large amounts of money are spent on advertising, and in the United States, the high cost of medications puts them out of reach of millions who need them (Buell, 1999)."

Tags:pharmaceuticals, hmos, drugs, generics

Abstract
This paper compares and contrasts the way various forms of media present the same story from different, and sometimes even opposite stand points, particularly in the case of the increase in oil prices.
It points out that the presentation of the news depends on two major variables: the importance and relevance of the story, the independent variable; and the target audience of the media channels, the dependent variable. The paper maintains that, although the purpose of media is to inform the population about any significant events in an impartial manner, it has often been used as a means of manipulating the masses. The paper takes a particular look at the significant increase in the media's interest in oil prices over the past few years, revealed in the increased numbers of newspaper articles, news broadcasts, radio programs and Internet videos, articles or posted comments on blogs. The paper concludes that television, radio and internet media channels influences more people by using simpler expressions and explanations than printed publications, such as major newspapers and journals.

Outline:
Research Statement
Resources
Hypothesis
Hypothesis Concepts
Analysis
Hypothesis Test with Data
Tabular Presentations
Data Analysis

From the Paper
"However it is true that one story should be presented in an objective way, it is also true that it needs to be adapted to the target audience and presented in a means that is understood. For instance, the Wall Street Journal is devoted to specialized readers which possess high education. Therefore, the news will be presented in a more complex manner and without numerous explanations, as it is expected that the consumers already possess knowledge of the issue presented. Youtube on the other hand addresses a less complex crowd, the simple citizens, and will explain the issue in a simpler way, accompanied with explanations."

Tags:expense, fuel, gasoline

Abstract
The paper utilizes the example of a car dealership in order to analyze how rising health insurance costs can influence managerial decisions. The paper shows how cutting costs in a high-turnover, sales-dependent business could undermine productivity and harm the firm's bottom line. The paper reveals that the end result could be lost sales, enhanced training costs, and under-utilized overhead that collectively present a price tag exponentially higher than what is saved on health insurance.

Outline:
A Look at the Health Insurance Problem
The Revenue Cost of Unfilled Positions
Maximizing Overhead
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Rising health insurance costs are creating significant hardship for many American businesses, and present unique challenges from the perspective of managerial economics. When making business decisions and planning budgets, managers must remain mindful of the fact that health insurance costs are escalating and are predicted to keep rising. These costs can provide a direct hit on a firm's overall profitability, and, unlike other expenses experienced by a firm, they are a straight money-out proposition. Health insurance costs are not like a capital investment, such as a piece of equipment, where the money a firm spends will be returned several times over as the equipment is utilized in business operations. When a company experiences a stiff hike in its insurance rates from one year to the next -- simply to maintain the current level of coverage offered to employees -- it is a pure impediment to profitability that can not be turned around to produce revenue."

Tags:productivity, overheads, costs, training, turnover, benefits

Abstract
The paper contends that the current concern over the health care system in the United States is a valid one. The paper reveals that there are now millions of people that cannot afford health care and that are forced to deal with life threatening or disabled conditions because they cannot seek help from medical professionals when they require it. The paper relates that as a consequence, early detection of health care issues is not possible and early deaths or long-term disabilities occur. The paper discusses how government and politicians have concluded that the only manner of addressing health care costs is to create a national health care system or force employers to provide health care coverage to their workers.

Tags:national, health, care

Abstract
This paper relates that, with the proposed reforms of the Medicare system, most people will not be able to use it because it would actually cost them more to do so than it would to simply not have insurance at all. The author feels that one of the biggest problems is that seniors who have Medicare do not have any coverage for prescription drugs, and because of this, they have to pay a large amount of money out of pocket. The paper stresses that the study, designed to be more of a subjective rather than an objective study, is based on the review of the available literature and the opinions and beliefs of those that make up this literature group because it does not appear that statistical research would be helpful.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Overview of the Study
Significance of the Study
Rationale of the Study
Scope of the Study
Review of Related Literature
Description of Sources Used
Positive Aspects
Negative Aspects
Literature Review
Methodology
Research Design and Approach
Procedures Used and Data Analysis
Research Considerations and Limitations
Validity and Uniqueness of the Data
Summary

From the Paper
"The sources used for this particular literature review did not come from the expected peer reviewed journals and magazines. This is largely because the Medicare reforms have not officially been enacted, and therefore studies into how they are impacting individuals who use the Medicare system have not been conducted. Because of this, there are few sources that can actually be found that deal with the Medicare reforms and how they are going to affect the elderly. At least, this is true of professional journals and official sources."

Tags:prescription, drugs, seniors, levels, subjective

Abstract
The paper is composed of three sections; the first looks at the two main problems in the healthcare industry of cost and access. The paper then provides statistics on government spending on health care, analyzes the economic implications of rising healthcare costs and explains why costs are only increasing. In the second part, the paper focuses on the problems of cost and access in more depth. Finally, in the third part, the paper discusses how this problem is affecting the writer personally and considers how it can be solved.

Outline:
Part I- Health Care in the United States
The Healthcare Industry
Problems in the Healthcare Industry: Cost and Access
Limited Access
Why a Rise in Healthcare Cost?
Supply Factors in Rising Healthcare Prices
Reform of the Healthcare System
Universal Access
Incentives Aimed at Containing Costs
Recent Laws and Proposals
Part II- Twin Problems: Costs and Access
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Conclusion
Part III- How this Problem is Affecting You and Your Family and How it Can be Solved?

From the Paper
"The cost of healthcare is rising in the US and this situation is alarming because it has very far reaching consequences. People who are seriously ill but don't have health insurance do not have access to health care. Employers and workers are often clashing over the cost of health insurance. Insurance companies often choose what types of medical care they will cover irrespective of the needs of patients. The US spends 15 percent of its GDP on health."

Tags:spending, budget, insurance, premiums, coverage, medications

Abstract
This paper describes the proposed Medicare Part D legislation, which would require the Department of Health and Human Services to negotiate discounts or fix reference prices with the drug industry. However, the paper explains there are problems with this bill. After reviewing the many influences that affect this bill, the author proposes additional legislation to cover the doughnut hole gap in the current bill and for negotiating drug pricing under this program.

Table of Contents:
History and Legislative Influences: Medicare Part D
Legislative Influences
Economic Principles
Legislative Influences
Regulatory Influences
Government Role: Medicare Part D
Government Influences
Society's Relationship
Effects on Population Subgroups
Elderly Population
Disabled Population
Macroeconomic Impact
Healthcare System
Impacts of External Factors
Solutions to Mitigate Impacts
Final Proposal Medicare Part D
Proposal for Coverage Gap Changes
Negotiating Drug Pricing
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The basic structure of Medicare Part D has an extensive social and legislative history, which is helpful to understand. The MMA of 2003 was finally bringing prescription drug coverage to the seniors of America. In 1965, Medicare was signed into law. During the 1960s, pharmaceuticals were not as critical to healthcare as they are today. There were not as many medicines available and the drugs, which were available, had less therapeutic benefits."

Tags:beneficiaries, crowd-out rate, sectors, coverage gap, regulations

Abstract
This paper provides an overview of Medicare, a program of national health insurance setup in 1965 for persons who are over the age of sixty-five or seriously disabled. It looks at how many medical procedures of the 1960s have been replaced by drug therapies and how Medicare has never been updated to include outpatient prescription drug coverage, leaving senior citizens, many of whom live on fixed incomes, especially affected by this lack of coverage. It discusses how. with the baby boomer generation ageing fast, and advancements in medical science, the new challenge is now to ensure that those who were responsible for the above will be cared for in the new century.

From the Paper
"In 1998, the US spent a total of one hundred billion dollars on prescription drugs. According to a report published in June 2001 by the Washington Business Group Healthcare (WBGH) and the Financial Management Association (HFMA), the cost of prescription drugs shot up by 14.6% in 2000, after an 18% rise in 1999. (Arya, 2001) From 1992 to 1998, the number of prescriptions rose by 40%. The government is caught in a difficult position. On the one hand it needs to curb the spiraling costs, on the other it has to protect the interests of its pharmaceutical industry. Expanding the use of generic drugs would be one way of reducing costs, but this is unlikely to happen because of the billions of dollars spend by pharmaceuticals on research in an intensely competitive field."

Tags:senior, citizens, drug, therapy, health, insurance

Abstract
This paper examines how the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was passed by Congress with a purpose of setting a national standard for privacy protection of health information. Even though the regulations include the improvement of access to affordable healthcare insurance coverage, the paper focuses on privacy and looks at how HIPAA regulations apply to medical records maintained by healthcare providers and health plans.

Outline:
Introduction
Description of Act
Positive Impacts
Negative Impacts
Cost and Quality
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The HIPAA regulations protect medical records and other individually identifiable information that is written, electronically stored or communicated orally. Under HIPAA, covered health plans, doctors and other healthcare providers must provide a notice to their patients how they may use personal medical information and their rights, which patients need to sign for acknowledgment (United States Department of Health and Human Services, 2003). HIPPA laws do not restrict the ability of healthcare providers to share information needed to treat patients, but personal health information cannot be used for purposes unrelated to healthcare. Individual patients must authorize the disclosure of their personal information for marketing purposes (United States Department of Health and Human Services, 2003). "

Tags:medical, records, technology, information

Abstract
The paper discusses the origin of the US Medicare system and states that it was established in order to assist individuals with the costs of healthcare. The paper states the eligibility requirements, healthcare benefits and mentions the medication availability and insurance coverage. The paper concludes by highlighting the fact that as Medicare is a complex system it is important to educate the healthcare professionals on the coverage that is available.

From the Paper
"In 2006, prescription drug coverage was added to Medicare coverage as Part D. Any individual who is eligible to receive benefits under either Part A or Part B is automatically eligible to receive benefits under Part D. However, in addition, to be eligible for Part D coverage, an individual must first enroll in a stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan or the Medicare Advantage Plan that included prescription drug coverage. The plans are actually administered by private health insurance companies and are only designed and administered by Medicare. Further, unlike Medicare Part A and Part B, under Part D coverage is not standardized."

Tags:social, security, statutes, compensation, prescription, drug, program