Critical policy issues related to access to care, cost …



Critical policy issues related to access to care, cost of care, and quality of care.Eliza de Guzman, BSBANational University – HCA 600Professor: Anne L. Diaz, PhD, RN, NCSN, MFTSeptember 20, 2013 AbstractThis paper helped me to understand the critical policy issues related to access to care, cost of care and quality of care. As an example of these critical policy issues, I am including the health policy of Obama Care. This paper describes the advantages and disadvantages of having Obama care as a form of health insurance. This paper describes what Obama care is all about. It also explains the concerns about the issues that we’re having in United States health policy.Critical Policy IssuesShi and Singh (2012) state that most past health policy initiatives have focused on access to care, cost of care, and quality of care. This means that health policy must focus on these three areas of issues to be able to obtain good quality and less expensive health care services. The first of these critical policy issues is the access of care. One example of health policy that addresses this issue is Obama Care. Some Americans believe that we have the right (access) to the best of care (quality) at the least expense (cost) despite our level of income or social class. (Shi & Singh 2012). Access to care has two variations (1) All citizens have the same level of care and (2) all citizens have the right to some minimum level of care (Shi & Singh 2012). This is one of the examples mentioned in the health policy associated with Obama care. It eliminates pre–existing conditions and gender discrimination. This means that no one will be charged more or be denied an application for health insurance because of health and gender related reasons. For this reason there should be no uninsured Americans. If this policy is approved, some employers will be affected by this policy. Most companies will need to provide government health insurance for their employees; if they do not, they will face federal fines (National Review Online 2013). The second issue addresses cost. With Obama Care “…tens of millions of low and middle-income Americans (will have) access to quality health care by providing discounts through the Health Insurance Marketplace/Exchange.” (Obama Care Facts). This means that everyone is entitled to and/or is required to have health insurance no matter how much is their household income. Everyone will have the privilege of having health insurance with the help of the Health Insurance Marketplace/Exchange, but what is the effect of this policy. Some say that by having this health insurance there will be newer and higher taxes for all tax payers to fund the needs of those who are insured with Obama care. Most tax payers will be affected by seeing an increase in taxes. The last issue addresses quality of care, Obama care improves the quality of care that Americans will receive by providing better preventative and wellness services and raising the standards of the quality of basic health care coverage. (Obamacare Facts). Obama care identifies six areas that must be addressed to have quality of care. These six areas of quality improvement include safety, effectiveness, patient centeredness, timeliness, efficiency and equity (Shi & Singh, 2012). This means that to have quality of care the safety of patient is important; the patient must feel that they are as safe in the health facility as they are in their own home. It also emphasize respect for patient choices and beliefs based on culture and religion. According to the National Review, Obama care has the “Anti-conscience mandate” that means that all religious organizations are required to provide free contraceptives, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs, even if these requirements violate their religious beliefs. (National Review Online 2013). This could mean that blood transfusions may be given even it is against a person’s religion. This perhaps is a contradiction in the Obama policy when every individual’s beliefs, cultures, and customs are not permitted especially for those who have a strong faith or strong religious beliefs. There should be more research conducted about how quality improvement will result in quality of care.Based on my research about Obama Care, I conclude that Obama Care is not really offering a complete reformation of health policy. There are obvious advantages and disadvantages with this policy. As a consequence. Critical policy issues have not been resolved under Obama Care.ReferencesShi, L., & Singh, D.A. (2012). Delivering Health Care in America: A Systems Approach. 5th Ed. Sudburry: Jones and Barlette Learning. Turner, G.M. (June 28, 2012). National Review Online 2013: The Top Ten Worst Things In Obamacare. Retrieved from: Care Facts: What is Obama Care? Retrieved from ................
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