Question 1
Although the affordable care act has been notably successful in its objective to increase the number of insured Americans, the act has increased the government’s role the country’s healthcare system. The now overly centralized healthcare system, while allowing for faster decision making, has significantly reduced the role of health consumers and other key players in the sector. Through the act, the federal government has at times appeared to have too much control in how healthcare financing is designed as well as its delivery to consumers.
Question 2
While the affordable care act has significant increased the proportion of healthcare costs covered by consumers, it could be argued that consumers are still not paying for their own health care costs. Currently, the health insurance system in the country still appears disjointed and employers continue to pay the price. Going forward, there is need to put consumers in charge of health care by ensuring they pay most of their own health care costs. This will significantly save the country the huge sums of money wasted every year in treatments that offer little or no chance of success.
Leith Mullings’ Contribution
Leith Mullings’ research provides significant contribution to the conversation on health and health policy. Mullings’ sojourner syndrome model is particularly important when assessing ways to incorporate and conceptualize the various implications on health brought about by such factors as class, gender, and race (Mullings 86). The model can be used not only when addressing public health audiences but also when interacting with human research subjects. In this regard, the model plays a critical role in promoting access to affordable care among African-American women.
Work Cited
Mullings, Leith. “Resistance and Resilience: The Sojourner Syndrome and the Social Context of Reproduction in Central Harlem.” Transforming Anthropology 13.2 (2005): 79-91. Print.
