Question

the outcome of this assignment will be your plan to lower healthcare costs, while at the same time increasing quality and access. The plan will include specific suggestions for how this could be done and your explanation for why you think each suggestion would help. .

Here are some issues to consider when thinking through your plan:

• Why does healthcare cost more in the U.S. compared to every other country? Consider things such as: the structure of our system, for-profit organizations, amount of healthcare we use, salaries of healthcare workers, drug costs, long-term care costs, administrative overhead, costs for tests, multi-level payment systems, etc.
• What can we learn from other countries that have lower costs and good quality and access?
• How are recent healthcare trends affecting costs, quality and access? Which trends will we need to counteract? Which ones can we take advantage of? And, how could we do this?

Answer 1

#. The reason(s) for lower quality/performance ratings for the U.S. healthcare system compared to other developed nation are :-

-- The complex and fragmented system decreases efficiency.

-- Many individuals have limited access to care.

#. The reason that contributes to continually increasing healthcare cost in US are :-

-- Development and use of advanced medical technologies, procedures, and pharmaceuticals

-- Health care in the U.S. is perceived as a business, with little price-regulation (free market system)

-- High prices paid for medical specialty care

#. For example US compared with Japan :-

Capitalistic economy, cover everyone and spend half of as much on healthcare. 8% GDP, lowest infant mortal and longer life expect. Everyone signs up for health insurance policy, either at work. Govt picks up for those who are too poor. Called Social insurance. 80% of hospitals are private, more than US. Go to doctors 3 ime s as often. No gate keepers, so they can go to any specialist unliek UK. Every visit is short, really effient system. everybody has insurance which really takes care of the bill. Twice as many Mris, they love teachnology. How do they keep costs under control? Health industry controls cost. Every 2 years they negotiate a fixed price for procedure and check ups have a standard price, same everywhere in Japan. Toshiba made cheaper machines. Price regulation hits doctor hard. Only charges what the price book saus. Govt sets price and they are all the same everywhere. Healthcare plan insurers cannot make a profit. Cheap healthcare cost for companies as well, no waiting list and also facilities at cheap rate .

#. The recent healthcare trends affecting costs, quality and access :-

Patients becoming more informed consumers

Growth of structured quality measures

Revenue-driving consolidation

New and alternative provider payment models

Specialty drug use driving the cost of care

Information technology innovations driving interstakeholder communications.