Abstract
This paper examines the problems in America's overall health care policy, pointing out that the current health policy agenda does not provide a cogent cohesive approach to resolving the health problems facing the nation. The paper further points out that America's health policies focus primarily on methods of financing instead of health outcomes. The paper then examines the outcomes of those policies and how they affect the health status of Americans. Additionally, the paper explains that a new perspective on health care is required if America wants to improve the nation's health demands. The paper concludes with recommendations for three major changes in health care policies that will help the U.S. achieve the goal of a healthier nation.

From the Paper
"One of the issues that employers must deal with, then, is the altering nature of its employees' health problems. As employers and additional major purchasers of health care take a more active role in managing the care of their covered lives, there will be increasing pressure to modify the nature of the exposure. As the two main concerns of those paying for health care are cost and outcome, there will be an increasing demand for alternatives to hospital care that are most cost-effective and result in tolerable outcomes. Otherwise, both employers and employees will continue to suffer from the mismatch. The most major issue in health status, it is now understood, is the impact on lifestyles. Lifestyle-related health problems require behavioral change. Businesses face a challenge to provide adequate incentives to daunt harmful behavior (e.g., cigarette smoking and obesity). These behaviors have been shown to reduce worker efficiency and increase health care costs. On the other hand, this aspect of illness control is not addressed by most presented insurance plans."

Tags:national, state, governments, cost, uninsurance, long-term, corporations, benefits

Abstract
This paper focuses on the shortcomings of American health care, and gives an overview of the presidential candidates' statements about health care during the 2008 election. The paper opines that the "pendulum" is stuck, and the quality and accessibility of health care is unlikely to change, regardless of who prevails in the election. The paper concludes that American health care has been surrendered to financial profit, and there is no sign that it will return to an individual, quality of life focus any time soon.

Outline:
Introduction
Understanding Managed Care
Health Care Talk Wins Votes
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The reason for this is that any plan that is implemented regarding Americans' access to health care will continue to be closely managed by insurance companies whose focus is, as Birenbaum said, a business one. If Barack Obama is elected, there may well be subsidized socialized health care, but it will be no more accessible to Americans than it is today. Managed care entities will continue to weigh the economic cost of the patient's diagnosis against the outcome of the DRG, and will make decisions about access to physicians - even if they are the providers the insured chooses for their self - and other health care services and treatments."

Tags:managed, care, HMO

Abstract
This research papers examines the state of health care in the rural areas of the United States early in the 21st century. The four major topical areas discussed are rural hospitals, rural health clinics, managed care in rural areas, and technology in rural health care. The paper contends that there are solutions to the problems confronting rural health care, but that policy changes and attitudinal changes are necessary first.

Tags:Rural, Health, Hospitals, Clinics, Technology, Managed, Care

Abstract
In this review of Laurie Kay Abraham's book "Mama Might Be Better Off Dead: the Failure of Health Care in Urban America" two issues are considered. First, the paper looks at how the book demonstrates that America's health care system is failing some Americans, particularly the urban poor, in very significant ways. Second, the paper relates that Abraham's work illuminates the complexities of what providing health care for all really is. The result is a book that examines both the complexity and importance of the issue of health care in America.

From the Paper
"Her primary audience for this book is any person concerned about health care policy in the United States. That should include every voter, because it is a system of laws and the regulations that support those laws that affect the problems discussed in the book. Our government leaders and representatives should also read this book, because the book demonstrates with great clarity just how complex the problem of providing health care for our urban poor really is."

Tags:healthcare, United, States, urban, poor, Laurie, Kay, Abraham

Abstract
This paper examines the healthcare systems of American and Canada in an effort to compare and contrast the benefits and liabilities of both systems. First, the paper discusses the American model of health care by describing the concept of managed care, its goals and benefits. Then the paper considers the Canadian healthcare system which is subsidized by the public's contributions, and follows state guidelines to which the state health plan must be adhere. Various weaknesses in the Canadian system are also addressed. The paper concludes with a summary and comparison of both systems, suggesting ideas as to what would best serve people in need of health care.

Outline:
Introduction
The American Model
The Canadian System
Comparison of the Two Systems
The Comparison

From the Paper
"Each of the presidential candidates promised healthcare reform, which was one of the campaign promises of Bill Clinton's first term election campaign (Ginzberg, 1994, 7). Early into that process, it was abandoned by the person whom President Clinton had put in charge of it: Hillary Clinton, who, during the campaign for the 2008 presidential election was once again promising healthcare reform, and assuring Americans she had a plan (Birenbaum, 1997, 1). All she really did was remind us that it was a complex problem, and one that efforts to reform had failed by the industry, by insurance companies, and then by Hillary herself during her husband's first term (Ginzberg, 1994, 212). In fact, it was the failure of the Clinton healthcare reform efforts that facilitated the growth of managed care plans and HMOs (Birenbaum, 9). All the while Americans continue to point to their northern neighbors citing Canada's increasingly more appealing system of healthcare delivery."

Tags:socialized medicine, managed care, health care reform

Abstract
This paper compares and contrasts the health care systems in the United States and Sweden, discusses why is there so much dissatisfaction with American health care, and questions whether health care problems in America can be solved in the same manner that Social Security problems were solved.

Abstract
This paper attempts to address the following statement: The government should institute a universal health care system to make preventive and medical health treatment available for all Americans, regardless of income. The paper begins with some basic information about the current status of uninsured Americans and then provides reasons why the government should provide this healthcare to its citizens.

Contents:
A Silent Crisis - Uninsured in America
Number of Uninsured
Economic Reasons That Contribute to Rise of Uninsured Americans
Contributory Reasons to Rise in Uninsured Americans
Road to Universal Healthcare
The Argument for Universal Healthcare
Obstacles to Universal Healthcare
Conclusion - Universal Healthcare is a Basic Right.

From the Paper
"The Census Bureau ascribes the rising number of uninsured people to the significant drop in employer-based coverage. This decrease occurred almost entirely in firms with less than 25 employees, since these smaller businesses were more vulnerable to economic downturns. Additionally, young adults between 18 and 24 years old were the least likely to have insurance in 2001, with only 28 percent of the group having health insurance (Brostoff). Given the soaring cost of health care and sagging corporate benefits, analysts believe that decline in the number of uninsured Americans will continue to rise."

Tags:medical, government, lobby, politics, insurance, hmo

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."

Tags:mental, health, america, u.s., community, aids, hiv, medical, services

Abstract
The writer of this paper details the increasing unemployment rates in the U.S. while proposing several strategies to combat this and other growing problems in America. This paper discusses the 1933 implementation and success of the Civilian Conservation Corps., initiated by President Roosevelt and designed to aid Americans during the depression era. The writer contends and explains why a similar program would be effective in today's society. The program would offer jobs and financial assistance for education as well as health benefits. This paper discusses the growing lack of affordable health care in America. This paper also examines America's education system while comparing its standing to other countries around the world. This writer stresses the need for accountability on the part of both the administrators and the teachers in order to raise the current standard in America's public schools.

From the Paper
"Over forty million people in this country have no regular access to health care. Most of these are people who earn too little to pay premiums on individual health insurance policies or are not employed by companies that offer health insurance benefits. In spite of this, we continue to treat illegal immigrants and their dependents the same as legal residents. Over the last several decades, and despite the severe fiscal crises faced by local and state governments, political leaders continued to promote policies that grant costly benefits to people who violate immigration laws. One out of every four uninsured people in the United States is an illegal immigrant. Almost half of these immigrants have either no insurance or have it provided to them at taxpayers' expense. In some hospitals, as much as two-thirds of total operating costs are for uncompensated care for illegal aliens."

Tags:u.s., economy, finance, health, care, unemployment, strategy, roosevelt, theodore, civilian, conservaton, corp, public, school

Abstract
This paper looks at the economic and social factors that cause many of the people in America to be under-insured or uninsured. A contrast is drawn with the elderly, who tend to be happy with their health coverage, even though their health problems are usually more severe. The causes and ramifications of inadequate health coverage are also discussed, and an argument for government intervention in health-care is presented.

From the Paper
"Sometimes this is because their company does not offer health insurance, and this is especially true for part-time and seasonal workers. Sometimes employers offer health insurance but the cost of the deductible is so high that the workers cannot afford to have that much removed from their paycheck each week. Many of the workers who cannot afford health care through their employers make too much for Medicaid. Because of this, they are caught in the middle. They don't make enough money to pay for quality health insurance, but they make too much money for the state to pay for health care for them."

Tags:health-care, coverage, medicaid, kaiser, deductible, medical, bills, doctors