Health_Care

U.S. Health Care Delivery System HCA 305 The U.S. Health Care System July 23, 2011 U.S. Health Care Delivery System: Financing The American heath care system has change over the last two decades due to a variety of factors which all resulted in rising health care cost. Healthcare has been influenced by many factors that have caused transition in the way healthcare is viewed and increase cost. Providers, employers, purchasers, consumers and political factors have influenced the financing of the American healthcare system. (Sultz 2009) With an estimated 47 million people uninsured or underinsured. The cost of healthcare is higher in America than in any other industrialized country. It is said that our healthcare is based on supplier induced demand.“Our cost of health care is astronomically higher than other ‘industrialized nations’, and yet we have the worst outcomes,” says David Harrell, PhD, FACHE, Director of Strategic Development-Health care for the Apollo Group.  Our healthcare here in the US should be more consumer driven. In most cases the common practice is that patients follow their physicians orders without question or second opinions, that they do not look for other health alternatives nor make prevenitive care a regular practice.There is no open market or competition of prices. Prices, premimums and reimbursments are set by insurance companies and healthcare providers. There is little information available to consumers on hospital stats and outcomes most rely on family and word of mouth to make a decision on where to get treatment. (Hughes 2010) The United States spends an estimated 1.4 Trillion a year on health care, this is about twice that of other countries. Other countries have some form of universal healthcare plan but the US does not. We have seen insurance premimums almost double in the past 10 years. The financial situation is that americans are paying more and getting less. Working people are looking for security and affordabilty during these economic times. Advancement in technology has had a effect on the cost of healthcare because the advance technology that allows for diagnostic and imagery and medicine to treat illnesses. MRI’s, robiotic surgery and angioplasty are some of our modern marvels as well as the medicans that are giving people longer lifespans. With the advancements in medicine come the growth of the senior population. Since the 1900s the percentage of Americans 65 and older has trippled with a 12 fold increase in numbers, reaching 36.3 million in 2005. These seniors account for the one third of the population that require inpatient care and long hospital stays. In addition baby boomers are expected to have a profound effect on healthcare.Speciality medicine has had a impact on our healthcare because many practicing physicians who are specialist attach a high price tag to the proceedures and technologies they use. (Sultz 2009) In 2010 the congress sign into affect the Affordable Healthcare Act. These reforms are the first of many to go into affect to help provide better healthcare for all. Under these provision insurance companies will be held more accountable, lower cost and guarantee more health choices. Under this plan they will be small business are being provided with a tax credit so that they can offer insurance to there employees.More states will be able to offer more people medicaid.Underinsured americans with pre exsisting conditions will have benefits available.consumers will be able to go online and compare insurances.there will be a extension of benefits for young adults to age 26 and more preventive services offered. The future of the American Healthcare System has a long way to go in terms of making changes. The needs and cost still outweigh what is available for the average american. The US healthcare sytem is in need a long term diverse overall. I feel that the itnial changes proposed in the healthcare affordability act are a great start. Reference: Sultz, H. & Young, K. (2011). Health care USA:  Understanding its organization and Delivery (7th ed.). Sudbury, MA:  Jones & Bartlett. Hughes, J.E. (2010). What is the future of health care' Retrieved from http:/www.UOPX Knowledge Network.com (Hughes, 2010) Docteur E. and Berenson R. (August 2009) How does the quality of the US healthcare compare internationally. Timely Analysis of immediate Health Policy Issues Understanding the healthcare affordability act. Retrieved July 24, 2011, from http://www.HealthCare.gov