In the United States, Healthcare services are offered by several distinct institutions. Majority of the healthcare facilities are run and possessed by private sectors. In the U.S, 62 percent are non profit facilities, 18 percent are for profit where as the remaining 20 percent are owned by the government. Majority of the healthcare provision and spending are sourced from programmes that include the Medicare, child health insurance, tricare veterans’ health administration and even the Medicaid. In the U.S, citizens below the age of 67 are insured by either their employer or at times their family’s employer. Some however purchase their own health insurance. Also it is noted that there are a few individuals who are not insured at all. It is therefore from the information concluded that, the U.S does not guarantee access to healthcare for its population (Jonas 2003).
This has led to the U.S having chronic diseases, STI’s homicides, injuries and a high rate of disability. This has ultimately led to a lower life expectancy relative to other high income countries. There is also poor cooperation among the physicians as most of them would wish to be posted at places with good amenities. This has led to shortage of medical practitioners.
There are several challenges that come because of this system of health care provision. First and foremost there is inequitable distribution of these services. There is little access in some areas that the Medicare and Medicaid offer lower payments. This is because the practitioners are not willing to go to such places and work there.
Subsequently, it is a challenge that U.S spends much more in the health care provisions as compared to other countries. However, Americans still are not healthier than other nations’ citizens. In addition, the fact that a significant number of Americans are not insured gives a challenge to the healthcare system used now (Jonas 2003).
The U.S healthcare system however has other benefits too. The benefits of this system are that U.S has a boost in the research field given the research institutions such as Havard Medical School, Cleveland clinic as well as Mayo clinic. This is because they derive their practioners from these institutions and these practitioners tend to be at purr with the challenges that they are faced with of offering the services to the citizens. Subsequently, the tax payers are at a relief since they do not put up with the expenses associated with the provision of the medical insurance that is offered to every individual. This cost as explained earlier is catered for by the employers of the citizens. Also there is a sigh of relief since even those that are not insured have the emergency doors open for them to seek urgent medical attention if need be.
There are a number of reforms that are proposed by the Obama presidency. These reforms include the use of electronic record keeping in the facilities. There is also the proposal of rechanneling the doctor’s support to quality care rather than the offered quantity care. It is also thought that payments should be done for the treatment of conditions instead of payment of specific services to cut on costs. There are also plans of inhibiting the insurance companies to show favoritism based on pre – existing circumstances. The government also plans on paying the doctors for the services they offer rather than by a salary. There are also plans of proposing a fine for the larger employers who do not offer a minimum of the standard of healthcare insurance. The government also wishes to mandate people with buying of private healthcare insurance. There is also a plan to lower obesity. This is because it has been realized that most health problems are as a result of obesity. This is intended to be done by increasing the levies on the food stuffs that tend to increase the chances of obesity such as junk food and soft drinks. To address the shortage of doctors, nurses and hospital capacity, the government intends to enter into partnership with other private firms to offer services to the citizens in the public facilities. To curb the mishandling of drugs, the government has opted to ‘invest’ in fighting fraud that tends to make the country lose a lot of drugs that could have otherwise been used in healthcare ( Andersen 2011).
With the reforms in practice, there are a number of changes that may occur in the U. S healthcare system. These include; most of the people who are not insured at the moment will be mandated to be insured. This may not be comfortable for them as they are used to the pay as you come service. Also there is a high chance that the services will cost a little higher or rather, the reduced services. This is to help cover for the big debt that the country has acquired in the healthcare system. It is also predicted that the shortage of healthcare physicians and medical practitioners will increase. This is due to the increasing population. It is estimated that by 2020, the shortage will nearly reach 50,000. It is also expected that the common citizen will have to persevere with the rationing of services (Niles 2011).
There is a debate on whether the fundamental system is to be left intact; however, I will chose to accept the reforms given at least some of the challenges shall have been solved if not all. The reforms to some extent will work effectively especially for the rich, however for the middle class, there will still be strain in the access to the medical healthcare services. The reforms are so realistic based on the country budget that aims at reducing the debt they have, however for the citizens, it is still a challenge since they are not going to get adequate services. Some of the unintended consequences of these reforms is the fact that most of the resources and services will be inclined towards the wealthy, leaving the common person with no options but to ration the services. It is thus advisable to check on your lifestyle in order to avoid health inconveniences in the future.
Works Cited
Nancy, J.N. Basics of U.S Healthcare System. Johns &Bartlett Publishers, 2011.
Steven, Jonas. An Introduction to the U.S Healthcare System. Springer Publishing Company, 2003.
Ronald, M.A. Changing the U.S Healthcare System. John Wiley & Sons Publishers, 2011.
