Health Care Reform Research Paper
Shanna Bennett
September 8, 2013
AL420 Current Issues in Allied Health
Health Care Reform: Past, Present, and Future
Introduction
Health care, and the lack thereof, in the United States have always been and will continue to be an issue. Currently, the United States does not have Universal Healthcare and those that do have health care coverage should feel privileged. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the: a) way healthcare is currently delivered, b) the history of health care reform, c) the current healthcare reform act, and d) what healthcare will be like in the future.
Current Health Care Delivery System
The United States health care system is complex. It is not centrally controlled and has …show more content…
is not inexpensive. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service, U.S. health care spending reached $2.7 trillion in 2011, or $8,680 per person. This is 17.9 percent of the Gross Domestic Product. Health spending grew by 3.9 percent which was the same growth rate as in 2009 and 2010 (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services [CMS], 2011). Because health care is so expensive it makes it difficult for those without health insurance to access primary care services. Health insurance is the primary means of accessing health care. The current health care delivery system is technology-driven with the newest medical technology being highly sought out. Patients assume that current technologies offer the best care and physician’s want to try the latest gadgets. Hospitals also compete on the basis of having the most modern equipment. This, in effect, drives up health care costs making it more difficult for individuals to obtain health …show more content…
Obama just happened to get further than past Presidents. Even though by 2019 millions of Americans will still be uninsured, the Affordable Care Act is still considered Universal Health Care. This is evident by the fact that it will be available to all U.S. citizens and legal residents. Whether an individual chooses to participate is fully up to them. Insurance companies will not be able to deny individuals on pre-existing conditions nor be able to increase insurance rates and premiums. Employers will benefit from receiving incentives to providing health insurance coverage for
September 8, 2013
AL420 Current Issues in Allied Health
Health Care Reform: Past, Present, and Future
Introduction
Health care, and the lack thereof, in the United States have always been and will continue to be an issue. Currently, the United States does not have Universal Healthcare and those that do have health care coverage should feel privileged. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the: a) way healthcare is currently delivered, b) the history of health care reform, c) the current healthcare reform act, and d) what healthcare will be like in the future.
Current Health Care Delivery System
The United States health care system is complex. It is not centrally controlled and has …show more content…
is not inexpensive. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service, U.S. health care spending reached $2.7 trillion in 2011, or $8,680 per person. This is 17.9 percent of the Gross Domestic Product. Health spending grew by 3.9 percent which was the same growth rate as in 2009 and 2010 (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services [CMS], 2011). Because health care is so expensive it makes it difficult for those without health insurance to access primary care services. Health insurance is the primary means of accessing health care. The current health care delivery system is technology-driven with the newest medical technology being highly sought out. Patients assume that current technologies offer the best care and physician’s want to try the latest gadgets. Hospitals also compete on the basis of having the most modern equipment. This, in effect, drives up health care costs making it more difficult for individuals to obtain health …show more content…
Obama just happened to get further than past Presidents. Even though by 2019 millions of Americans will still be uninsured, the Affordable Care Act is still considered Universal Health Care. This is evident by the fact that it will be available to all U.S. citizens and legal residents. Whether an individual chooses to participate is fully up to them. Insurance companies will not be able to deny individuals on pre-existing conditions nor be able to increase insurance rates and premiums. Employers will benefit from receiving incentives to providing health insurance coverage for