Question

TYPE REPLY

How has health care policy in the US shaped the health of Americans.

Answer 1

The US heathcare system is the most unique and debated in the world. It had been criticized for it's lack of government involvement as it's overly a private system, while praised for it's uniqueness and support in building up a private sector.The healthcare policy in US is essentially a hybrid sytem, which means that a third party insurance company reimburses doctors for the medical services provided and also there are government services also involved.

Looking back at the history of health care policy, we see that it has evolved over a period of time. President Clinton signed the Health insurance Portablity and Accountability act(HIPAA) in 1996. Employer based insurance plans can no longer exclude people with pre-existing medical conditions.Next came the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 which included families who weren't previously eligible.The Obamacare was signed into law by President Obama in 2010. By 2015 it's estimated that about 15 million medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. Over the past few decades, the government's involvement in healthcare has increased

Today the heathcare policy is a huge part of the country's economy. The healthcare spending amounts to about one-sixth the nation's GDP and about one-fourth the state budgets.The ten essential benefits outlined by the Affordable Care act include the following:

1)Ambulatory patient services

2)Emergency services

3)Hospitalization

4)Maternity and newborn care

5)Mental health and substance abuse disorder services

6)Prescription drugs

7)Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices

8)Laboratory services

9)Preventive and wellness services and chronic diseasemanagement

10)Pediatric services, including oral and vision care

However a critical look at the health care policy suggests that the cost of affordable health care is rising. People with below average incomes are most likely to not report sick.Despite the high expenditure, the US has fewer physicians per capita than in most OECD countries. The health of Americans have improved as the focus of the expenditure is on preventative measures. The healthcare policy has also led to better quality of healthcare and reducing medical errors.Another component of state healthcare budgets is prison health care which is hailed as being progressive.

Over the years healthcare in US has been widely criticized but we can't simply ignore the fact that it has brought in competition which will reduce costs over a period of time.It also ensures that people don't lose their insurance. A wide range of previously ineligible people are part of the plan. The heath of the Americans is improving though it's also proving to be expensive for now.