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What are the major policy issues concerning health care?
What are the major policy issues concerning health care? -- Posted by Raymond on 02-17-05 01:15
What are the major current health care controversies?
What are the major policy issues concerning health care?
Health care concerns have been a major political topic for the past
two decades. The issues overlap but can be generally categorized as
follows:
The financing of health care
The cost of prescription drugs
Whether HMOs should be regulated
The government's response to the AIDS/HIV crisis
How do we finance health care?
The increase in overall health care costs had propelled this issue to
the front of the 2004 political campaign. Health care costs are now
approaching 15% of our national economy and the economic
repercussions have been felt by most American families as employers
are increasingly unwilling to absorb the bulk of this increase. Health
insurance costs have had double digit increases in the last several
years and are escalating at a rate even greater than the cost of
health care. Overall national health care costs are likely to
increase even further with the implementation of Medicare prescription
drug coverage. Already, publicly funded medical care in the U.S. which
serves only about a quarter of Americans, is equal to the cost of
public systems in Europe which cover everyone.
Why is there a problem?
Too many Americans are uninsured.
Too much money is spent.
Many employees receive restricted coverage.
How do other countries finance health care systems?
The government plays a much larger role in health care in all other
industrialized countries and there virtually no one who is not
covered. Many countries have a national public health agency which
delivers much of the health care in the country. Others incorporate
medical care into their social security systems and operate a program
similar to the United States Medicare program for the public.
(How would you compare the Israel's health care system to that in the
U.S.,and what could you see each learning from the other?)
EXAMPLE:
Israel has always been committed to health care for everybody. That's
been axiomatic. All residents of Israel receive medical care under the
National Health Insurance Law. Private medical care is also available.
The country's good medical services and the high doctor-to-patient
ratio mean that few babies die and Israelis have long lives. Israeli
health problems are similar to those of many western countries. Cancer
and heart disease are responsible for two-thirds of deaths. The
government actively promotes healthy living.
The health consciousness of the Israelis has led them to pay more
attention to preventive medicine and to improving outreach services to
the population. The government spends large amounts of money on public
clinics, a campaign against epidemics and illness, sanitation
inspections, preventive psychiatric treatment and medical research.
This foundation of Israel's health care system, including a network of
medical services for prevention, diagnosis and treatment, was first
laid down by British authorities and also by the European Jewish
community. They set up clinics to make health care accessible for
those unable to pay.
Prenatal examinations, early detection of mental and physical
handicaps, immunizations, regular pediatric check-ups and health
education are offered at the mother and child care centres. These
centres are available for women during pregnancy and for children from
birth to early childhood.
Israel has organized a network of outreach services which are provided
by a team of doctors and health care workers. These services are
available throughout the country. Efforts are being made to reach the
most remote regions, to make health care available to all.
What are the prominent proposals for reforming health care financing
in the USA?
The 1993 Clinton plan
Medical Savings Accounts
Tax credits for the purchase of health insurance
Expansion of the State-Children Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP) to
include adults
What is Managed Care?
Has managed care worked?
What are the proposals for reform?
Many states have enacted "patient's bill of rights" legislation which
address some of the alleged abuses. Such legislation has usually
guaranteed emergency treatment, specialist coverage and provided an
appeal mechanism for denied services. Congress is considering similar
national legislation but these efforts have stalled over the issue as
to whether patients should have the right to sue an HMO for
malpractice.
MORE?
SEE:
http://www.newsbatch.com/healthcare.htm
HELP!!!!!
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