Abstract This paper examines the American health care system and suggests methods of creating universal access to health care. The paper explains that health care should be considered a right for all citizens; a constitutional amendment would make this proposition mandatory. The paper points out that, at its root, the lack of health care for all in America is fundamentally a moral issue. The paper suggests that the United States follow its industrialized, wealthy counterparts and demand universal health care. It explains that the desire for universal health care is apparent and cites examples of states which are implementing a near-universal health care system. The writer proposes that the U.S. pass the United States National Health Insurance Act, or the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act. The writer further explains that this act establishes the United States National Health Insurance (USNHI) Program to provide all individuals residing in the United States and in U.S. territories with free health care, including all medically necessary care, such as primary care and prevention, prescription drugs, emergency care, and mental health services.
Outline:
Universal Healthcare in Other Countries
United States National Health Insurance Act
The Uninsured: College Students
Children's Health Care
Preventative Health Care
Eliminating Disparities
Conclusion
From the Paper "More health care clinics geared toward minority populations could also be beneficial; citizens would feel more comfortable in settings that recognize their specific needs. Cultural and linguistic competence is mandatory. More classes in medical school concerning minority health care issues should be implemented. More minority members should be in the health care system. This would increase patient participation in care processes, ensuring grater satisfaction and adherence to treatment. The regulations in the system should be transparent and open to the public. A department in the government should be primarily focused on minority health care. The heath care system should be as diverse as our country."
Tags: primary, care, prescription, drugs, emergency, care, mental, health, services
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to analyze how and why a national health plan should be introduced in the United States. Health care in the United States is a big business. As such, a national health plan threatens the bottom lines of gigantic health maintenance organizations who have fought national health 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 This paper discusses the Neath Port Talbot Annual Health Report 2001/2002. Neath Port Talbot Local Health Group (NPT LHG) has been actively involved in developing and implementing key elements of the Health Improvement Programme within the Neath Port Talbot area. The Health Improvement Programme (HIP) is a five-year strategic programme required of every health authority in Wales. This published plan informs and guides work across Neath Port Talbot, Bridgend, and Swansea to improve health and the range and quality of health services. It also details national and local priorities and targets, which it will aim to address in partnership with partner organizations.
From the Paper "The 2001/2002 annual health report of Neath Port Talbot starts with an introduction from Chairman, Dr. Edward Roberts and General Manager, Mrs. Katie Norton of the community's local health group. They greeted the readers with a warm welcome, and soon after, announced that the intention of the annual report is to demonstrate how the local health group is making a big difference to the health and healthcare of the local people within Neath Port Talbot (Local Health Group, 2001/2002:2). The report was conducted by the Neath Port Talbot Local Health Group emphasising its achievements in improving the quality of primary health care and supporting local services."
Tags: annual, health, neath, port, report, system, talbot, wales
Abstract This paper reviews the Sequoia Community Health Foundation in Fresno, California. It discusses the history of the foundation, reporting that it was created in response to a population that has been historically impoverished, and that required attention to its health care needs. It follows on saying that part of the Central Valley Health Network, the health care organization was initially a "health care advocacy group" in the Fresno area. Yet, by 1979, two years after the organization began, it was offering health related services to a growing farm worker population ("Sequoia", n.d.). At the present time Sequoia Community Health Foundation serves a significant expended community that includes those in urban, rural and farm areas.
Abstract This paper discusses the idea that global health for all is possible provided that certain conditions are met. The ideal of global health for all is a vision that depends on a global perspective and a specific view of the future. The paper further discusses how global health also depends on a comprehensive view of health which must include the social determinants of health. From the Alma Ata Declaration, it was affirmed that he attainment of the highest possible level of health is a most important worldwide social goal whose realization requires the action of many other social and economic sectors in addition to the health sector (Leuning, 2002, pp. 298-299).
Abstract The paper is a report written from the author's perspective as the director of occupational services. The report examines issues related to the important role of occupational care and how it fits into the continuum of health care. The report looks at critical elements of changes in future healthcare trends and how this may affect occupational care. The report concludes that health care resources should be directed to this every important facet of the health care delivery system.
Outline:
Introduction
Components of Occupational Health and the Continuum of Care
Occupational Therapy Contribution to Health Care Resource Management
Future Trends and Occupational Health Authorization and Conclusion
From the Paper "The slew of problems currently plaguing the Occupational Health Care Department stems from the fact that this branch of healthcare is seen as trivial and is not identified as an important component of the health care continuum. As the Director of Occupational Services, Health Sciences Division, I have unraveled a number of issues related to the Occupational health role in the overall management of health resources in the division that need attention and are presented in the report below."
Abstract Stakeholders in the U.S. health care system include private and public purchasers of health plans, physicians, hospitals, clinics, health plans, consumers, and public health programs. Each stakeholder wants quick access to information for a variety of reasons. The paper shows that, in light of these important issues, information systems in the health care environment is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. The paper examines the benefits as well as the disadvantages of the health care industry's move towards dependence on IS. It also presents information on proposed legislation to protect medical records and patient confidentiality.
From the Paper "The intertwined issues of security, privacy, and confidentiality have drawn increased attention to and public unease with the growing use of technology in health care. In 1996, HIPAA mandates included the enactment of federal laws and regulations against unauthorized access to electronically stored or transmitted patient records and misuse of personal health information. These new security standards were designed to protect all electronic health information from improper access, alteration, or loss. The proposed regulations include technical guidance and administrative requirements for those who use, maintain, or transmit electronic health information."
Tags: JCAHO, Health, Insurance, Portability, Accountability, Act, AIDS
Abstract This paper focuses on the obvious causes of the disparate health care system that exist in rural areas across America, which are linked to lower levels of fiscal ability and lower incidence of access to hospitals. The writer of this paper contends that children in rural communities face the largest obstacles in obtaining the proper support services, due mostly to their cultural and geographic factors. This paper examines the various issues plaguing these rural communities while also focusing on the lack of quality mental health care and the increasing concern over the high rates of AIDS/HIV. This paper stresses the importance of addressing the mental health concerns of communities with little or no access to quality health care services. The writer of this paper explains why education is key to implementing positive treatment for rural mental health and is crucial to the development of systems that can address the growing concern for HIV/AIDS. This paper also discusses the correlation between increasing incidences of AIDS and HIV in rural communities lacking proper health care services.
From the Paper "As research is beginning to support the conclusion that taking care of mental health in its nascent stages of problem decreases the ultimate need for more physical care , addressing the mental health concerns of a community with little or no access to quality health care is of the utmost importance; at the same time, filling the community with information about the problems that can arise in high-stress lifestyles, particularly those associated with land-oriented professions at the whims of nature, and the psychological effects they might have is critical. Education, key to starting positive treatment for rural mental health, is critical to the development of good systems that can address the growing concern for HIV/AIDS. According to the National Rural Health Association, HIV/AIDS has a growing negative impact on the health of rural communities in America."
An essay on the rising health care costs associated with moral hazard and why, despite some skepticism, consumer driven health plans (CDHP) can provide a solution.
Abstract The paper discusses Consumer Driven Health Plans (CDHP) and how these plans can reduce medical spending. The paper examines the rising cost of health care and how health insurers have developed new and innovative ways of dealing with the ever pressing issue moral hazard has had on overall medical spending. The paper further analyzes how through consumer driven health plans, health insurers hope to encourage more conservative and responsible consumerism as patients are forced to pay higher out of pocket costs for medical services.
From the Paper "Year after year, as the cost of health care continues to rise and the American public's frustration continues to grow, those with influence over the market have begun to offer new and innovative solutions in the hopes of curbing the ever rising prices a broken system has helped to create. In a flawed design where everyone but the consumer is picking up the tab - the employers, health insurers, and government, it's of no surprise that Americans have been more than indulgent in their consumption of medical services. Unfortunately, this careless consumption, driven by moral hazard, is what continues to drive the overall cost of health care up at a rate of inflation higher than that of other goods and services. Now, in an effort to reduce the most costly of effects attributing to the rising cost of medical services, health insurers have focused on reducing moral hazard through the introduction of consumer driven health plans (CDHP)."
Abstract This paper discusses e-health, which refers to health-related information and services that are provided or supplemented through the Internet. The paper looks at four different ethical regulatory systems for e-health, including self-regulation, consumer evaluation, third-party reviewing and a mixed system. It provides a brief description of each system and discusses each system's disadvantages.
Table of Contents:
What Is E-Health The E-Health Ethical Issues
Self-Regulated
Health on the Net Foundation
Disadvantages of Self Regulation
Consumers Evaluate
Discern
Disadvantages of Consumers Evaluate
Third-Party System
Disadvantages of Third-Party System
Mixed Approach
Disadvantage of Mixed Approach
Conclusion
From the Paper "The final approach is a mixed approach of self regulation, consumer evaluation and third-party system. MedCERTAIN (Medical Certification and Rating of Trustworthy Health Information on the Net), developed by the European Union (EU), is an international project that consists of a combination of self regulation, consumer rating and third-party rating system. This system enables consumers, associations, organizations and others professionals to sort through different health information sites with the goal of identify high-quality sites. This system does not create a level rating system such as a 1-10 rating or poor/fair/excellent. This system instead requires health site of different levels to commit themselves to MedCERTAIN ethical standards and practices. Once a site has been verified they are in working within standards and practices set by MedCERTAIN the site will be authorized to display their international MedCERTAIN Trustmark. This mark helps consumers quickly and efficiently determines if a site follows a set of standards and practices set by fellow consumers and professional in the field."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses the case of Mary, a female of Aboriginal descent, who is 29 years of age and in generally good physical condition. The writer notes that Mary does have some problems with her weight, which is often in considerable flux, and is concerned about diabetes. In addition, the writer points out that Mary also possesses an inherited genetic disability that runs in her family. This paper approaches the health profile of Mary from a multidimensional perspective. The writer concludes that Mary's health profile reveals not only the importance of a multi-dimensional bio-psychosocial approach to health, but also the extraordinary degree to which psychological, biological and social factors overlap each other as primary determinants of her state of health as revealed in the health profile.
From the Paper "Eating and weight are issues of prominent concern in Mary's life. These concerns are associated with her concern about diabetes given her Aboriginal heritage, as noted above. However, they are also connected to family history concerns as well as personal body image problems in youth. She recognizes this is a socialized model of beauty as being equated with extreme thinness that she has inherited from society. Nonetheless, however, Mary is committed to weight reduction through dieting and exercise. It must be noted, however, that her weight has often been in flux due to her admitted habit of "binge eating" on occasion to cope with severe stress or depression."
Abstract Health promotion is an expansive concept, which refers to the entire process of advocating and enhancing health for individuals, groups, or communities. Health promotion includes educational, environmental and legislative strategies, along with social change.
Abstract This paper details the current crisis concerning health care and health costs as well as public and government concern regarding health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and "regular" hospitals. The writer of this paper delves into the escalating cost of health care due to advancing technology and pharmaceutical research. This paper also discusses the services and care offered by both health institutions.
Topics covered in this paper include:
Cost of Care
Technology as a Cost-Increasing Factor
Costs of Maintaining a Traditional Hospital
HMOs as Profit Centers
Care
Traditional Hospital Care
Conclusion
Works Referenced
From the Paper "America's population is aging. We live longer, but therefore we require more hospital stays or medication than generations before us. The largest insurer of the aging is the government, through Medicare and Medicaid. Knowing the shortfall of income for future Medicare recipients, the government has been reducing, even curtailing some of the items, drugs, and illnesses for which it will pay the entire cost. Without such reimbursement, the for-profit HMOs are reducing the list of their clientele."
Abstract This paper assess the mental health and family services provided by Health Care Associates, Inc, a mental health and family/youth crisis intervention organization. The paper attempts to assess the organization's effectiveness in providing services to its client population.
From the Paper "In this paper, Health Care Associates Incorporated (HCA), which specializes in providing mental health as well as family youth crisis intervention services, will be assessed. More specifically, HCA's macro-structure and its environment will be evaluated in order to explore its effectiveness in providing services to its client population. Sources that were used for the assessment of HCA included agency materials, interviews with the staff and the Internet. HCA was created to cater to the wide-ranging needs of individuals with mental health problems..."
Tags:Health Care Associates, Inc. Mental Health Family/Youth Crisis Intervention Services- Organization Assessment
Abstract This paper explores the National Health 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 National Health Service United Kingdom. Quality, Health Care, Rationing, National Health Service, NIH, Rationing, Private health care providers, Managed Care, Commodity.
