A healthcare delivery system is founded upon the history of diseases, the levels of medical intervention within a society, and the values and priorities of those who hold policy-making positions. The passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is the result of problems of rising cost, questionable quality, and lack of healthcare system access for large numbers of uninsured or under-insured Americans. Passionate debates about healthcare reform focused many on the role health care plays in their lives and the strengths and deficiencies of the healthcare system. In other words, there are numerous important issues to consider when discussing the U.S. healthcare system.
Let’s start our module discussions with the following question. You will not need your text for this topic, however as we move onto part II, you will need to read Chapter 1 in your textbook.
REFLECTION QUESTION
Assuming the main goal of the U.S. healthcare delivery system is to keep people healthy, how do you think wellness is currently being defined in the U.S.? As you ponder this question, consider the socio-economic issues (e.g. education levels, stigma, employment status, poverty, etc.) related to health care and how healthcare disparities impact wellness efforts. Please share examples.
Application Question:
- With so many different stakeholders in the healthcare system (many with powerful political lobbies), it is understandable that the government was unable, until the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, to address the problems of cost, access, and quality. In fact, many proponents and opponents of this law would say that the government is still deficient in addressing these core problems. Who do you believe are 1-2 key stakeholders in current debates around healthcare delivery in the U.S? What are the key issues for each group? Do not duplicate one another, but add another stakeholder group, or add a new facet to the ongoing national debate.
- Now that you have read all of the readings, let’s circle back to our reflection on wellness earlier this week. There has been much debate about how to promote healthy behaviors in our country. How is healthy behavior being incentivized in our country? As you respond, support your discussion with examples of how this issue has been addressed in communities, corporations, and at the federal level. What efforts to provide healthy behavior incentives have been most successful and why? What issues arise as we consider incentivizing healthy behavior? Consider your earlier reflections on socioeconomic issues and disparities.