Over the last decade, the American Healthcare system has increasingly undergone major transformations. Ideally, the Affordable Care Act (Obama Care) has made significant strides in addressing major healthcare challenges (Obama Care Facts, 2015). Besides, the U.S has been spending approximately 20% of its Gross Domestic Product to improve healthcare (Healthcare provider’s, 2015).
This post summarizes the current American Healthcare System in receiving patient care. Also, it suggests changes to improve the system and briefly describes some of the current healthcare improvements that have been reported.
Current American Healthcare System
Universal Healthcare System
Primarily, the United States health care system lacks a universal health care delivery system. Instead, it has a multiple subsystem that has been developed mainly through the influence of certain population segments. Thus, the health care system underperforms on issues that relate to equity of all populations with cases of not getting the right medical attention, tests, or follow-up care.
Healthcare Quality
Quality healthcare is characterized by an effective, safe, coordinated, and patient-centred care. While significant improvements in the delivery of preventive and patient-centred health care have been achieved, lower scores on efficient, safe and coordinated health care have affected the entire quality of the healthcare system in the country.
Access to Healthcare Services
Notably, given the lack of universal healthcare system in the country, a significant number of the Americans have low access to healthcare mainly due to the high cost of medication (Obama Care Facts, 2015). It is apparent that most patients have access to specialized care services, though the extremely high costs deter them from accessing such services.
Suggested Changes and Reported Improvements on the Current Healthcare System
Improving Quality of Health Care
The healthcare system should invest significantly in improving the quality of their services. Much attention should focus on Medicaid programs that help rewards performance and quality. Ideally, with the latest development of digital health care field, improvements are likely to be realized in improving chronic disease management, affordable healthcare, and easily accessible services delivery.
Rewarding Excellence and Efficiency
Most U.S healthcare organizations and hospitals are managed by high competent personnel. However, lack of motivation, especially for the physicians may contribute to poor service delivery to patients. Therefore, developing mechanisms to reward high quality and efficiency among the employees can have significant impacts.
Addressing Costs of Providing Healthcare
Addressing the high cost of healthcare delivery especially for low-income earners is a crucial step. This approach will ensure the provision of affordable healthcare in line with the Affordable Care Act.
Development of a Value-Based Care
The transitioning into a value-based healthcare (VBC) from the volume-based care is likely to spur widespread efforts toward achieving positive impacts in the healthcare delivery (Health care provider’s 2015). Essentially, this transition is directed towards the physicians owing to their fundamental role in provision of healthcare. Some of the physician-centered strategies include expanded clinical support capabilities and an enabling health information technology.
References
Health care provider’s outlook United States. (2015). U.S 2015 global health care country reports 011215. Retrieved14th May, 2016 from http://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/us/Documents/life-sciences-health-care/us-2015-global-hc-country-reports-011215.pdf
Obama Care Facts. (2015). Health care facts: Why we need health care reform. Retrieved 14th May, 2016, from http://obamacarefacts.com/healthcare-facts/
