Health Care Drivers and Reform - Essay Example

? Health Care Drivers and Reform Here Here Here Here Health Care Drivers and Reform The delivery of health care in the United States is due to undergo significant changes as a result of many worrisome developments. Among the biggest concerns is the availability of adequate cost coverage (through insurance, government programs, and other sources) for a large portion of the population that does not currently qualify for Medicare or Medicaid, and does not have the means to acquire insurance through an employer or individually. The fact of the matter is that health care will change due to the factors that cause these deficiencies, and not due to reform measures (although they may indeed occur and would likely be welcomed). A variety of drivers are currently exerting an influence on the United States' health care system (Lexa, 2012), including costs, national aging, increased diversity, predicted population growth, the changing burden of diseases, and technological considerations. Rising Costs The most publically apparent driver of the United States health care system is the consistently increasing rate of expenses required to serve a growing, changing population. The country spends over 15% of annual national production on the health care system. This demonstrates the dedication that the government has displayed regarding these services, but they have also shown a startling degree of stubbornness in adapting to change. The present system is clearly cost ineffective, as the delivery of care in the country is far from proportional to the incredible sums of money that are consumed in the process. Total costs are also increased by other drivers of the system, including increased length of disease burden and an aging population. Technological Advancement A second prominent driver of the health system is the application of technology. This factor presents challenges related to costs, training, space, and other aspects of services. While technological advances are key to improving the prognoses of virtually all afflictions, they cannot be utilized if the general public does not have access to the benefits. Technology is not only important in the direct assessment and treatment of diseases, but it is also having a profound effect on the flow of information throughout the health care system. Information technology developments are just as important as directly applied tech forms because it serves to streamline administration, facilitates clinical integration, and aids in the dissemination of information from professionals to the public. This change will prove to be quite impactful over time as patients become directly involved in the management of their own conditions, ending the segregation of information that is common between medical professionals and patients today. Administrators and Expenses Health care administrators experience the impact of these drivers, along with providers and patients. Costs are an obvious stressor on the professional functioning of both general and specialized administrators. The management of health care services in the United States requires a constant awareness of expenses and budgets. Reimbursement caps already make the administration of Medicare and Medicaid a difficult process, but the increasing and aging population will put more economic stress on the system than ever before. Expenses will continue to increase due to other factors as well, including those related to hiring more professionals as will be necessary. Managing Technology Technology is a major driver in practically every aspect of the health care system, and administration is no exception. As new technologies become available to aid in the delivery process, managers find themselves under pressure to obtain these tools for the betterment of the patients. We are in an age where new technological advancements are achieved at an astounding rate, and this trend is likely to continue in an exponential fashion. In addition to machinery like various types of imagine equipment (CT, fMRI, etc.), technology has allowed for the implementation of information systems within, and between, medical institutions. Administrators must deal with constantly evolving forms of information technology. Though these changes are likely to be beneficial to the delivery process and patient outcomes, they must be consistently accounted for in the management of money and communications. Reform Options Health care reform has been used as a point of division between the two major parties, igniting a furious public debate of the topic. Unfortunately, as is the case with most topics framed as partisan ideas, the true nature of potential reform measures has been buried beneath the weight of uninformed, emotion-driven political rhetoric. While the extent of aid is rightfully debatable, it is quite evident that the administration of health care services will be virtually impossible without some form of government intervention. The current system is already struggling to maintain quality services due to ballooning costs. As expenses continue to grow, the inadequacy of the current approach will eventually leave officials little choice but to approve an increase in funding and/or coverage, or risk the spread of disease throughout the country. An additional change that would help the health care system react to drivers would be to increase the availability of medical professionals. There is currently a shortage of many provider types, and this trend will lead to an inability to provide patients with the appropriate services (already visible in many areas, especially rural). Health care managers are also already experiencing the struggle to acquire skilled employees, and many may wonder how they are expected to attract professionals when none are available. Immigration as a source of skilled professionals is helpful in many ways, but there are still many barriers to integrating multiple cultural histories within a health care institution. Language, for example, can be a particularly frustrating challenge for providers and patients alike. An additional measure could be to alter educational policies to foster the development of more medical professionals from within the country. International Considerations The United States health care system has been practically stagnant since the advent of Medicare and Medicaid. While people were generally relaxed about it in the past, relatively recent advancements in the availability of information (the internet) have allowed Americans to see that their health care system is extremely flawed when compared to those of many other countries. One of the most stunning examples comes from Cuba, where the health care system is universal despite the economical weaknesses faced by the country (Field, 2006). Cuban medical professionals are so numerous, that tens of thousands can be found volunteering their services to various countries in need. The apparent key in the success of this system is the yearly enrollment of an immense number of medical students in the nation. As suggested above, more domestically educated medical professionals is a highly desirable situation. A final consideration comes from a PBS Frontline feature (2008), and concerns Switzerland. The common call of American opposition to a national health system is that it demonstrates socialist ideals. Granted, most of those who hold this view are either uninformed or sensationalists, but the notion has permeated the mainstream none-the-less. The Swizz provide a solid example of universal health care being successful in a highly capitalist country. References Field, C. (Producer and Director). (2006). ?Salud! [Motion picture]. USA: MEDICC. Five Capitalist Democracies & How They Do It | Sick Around The World | FRONTLINE | PBS. (2008, April 15). PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Retrieved February 26, 2013, from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundtheworld/countries/ Lexa, F. J. (2012). Drivers of health reform in the United States: 2012 and beyond. Journal of the American College of Radiology, 9(10), 689-693. Read More