The Origin of Government Involvement in Health Care Delivery in the United States - Assignment Example

The Origin of Government Involvement in Health Care Delivery in the United States What were some of the key milestones and their impacts? What are tiles 18,19 and 21 and describe their relationship to the milestones? The government of United States became involved in health care delivery, for the first time in 1850. The first hospitals in United States developed around this time. According to Williams &Torrens (2008), the development of the first hospitals in the country,marked the beginning of formal organization of health care.Legislation was passed by the congress in 1965 that established the Medicare as title 18and Medicaid program as title 19 of the social security act found in page 3. Title 18 that refers to Medicare in thesocial security act allocatedhealth insurance for the aged and disabled.The social security act amended the Medicare legislation in 1965.It established ahealth insurance program. It was meant for the aged persons, in order to make up for retirement. It also catered for survivors and covered disability insurance health benefits. This was under title two of the social security act. (pg.6) Another component of the social security act is title 19. This is a federal or a state entitlement program. This one provides financial aid to certain individuals and families who have low income and scarce resources. In 1965 the Medicare program became law. It is regarded as a cooperative venture, whose financial problems are covered for by both federal, and the state government. This includes the District of Columbia and the territories. Their participation was in order to assist the states in providing sensible medical assistance, to particularly needy people. As a result, Medicare became the biggest source of financial support. This covers medical and other health related services for people who are financially challenged. Title 21 covers the Children Health Insurance Program(CHIP). From March, it is now known as the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. It caters for children from financially challenged families that do not qualify for Medicaid. It was brought into place by the Balanced Budget Act(BBA) of 1997. This is found in (Public Law, 105-33) 1. Managed care is a very broad term and means different things in different markets; explain why. Describe your own local market in terms of managed care intensity. The term “managed care” refers to use of financial incentives and the structure of an organization, in order to reach its objectives. Its purpose is to upsurge efficiency and lessen health care budget. 2. What is a benchmark? How are they used in health care? How many help us to improve thequality of care, access and allocate funding? Give an example of a: - Clinical benchmark - Financial benchmark - Operational benchmark Benchmark is a term used to refer to something or a method, which can be used as a means toevaluate and assess the level, or quality of things that are related. Progressively, benchmarking is a process of establishing a quality level of excellence and comparing a business venture, product or an enterprise. Benchmarking will be frequently used byinstitutions of health, to reduce expenses incurred and altogether increasethe quality of a product and service Benchmarking is now atotal quality management tool ("Introduction to benchmarking in healthcare. - PubMed - NCBI," n.d.). It can also be a progressive process which an organization uses, asa tool of measurement and comparison of processes with organizations that are established. 4. Who are the providers of health services? Who are considered the middle-level providers? Where do allied health providers fit in the realm of patient care? Provide at least two examples of each level and type of health provider, i.e., physicians,mid-level, and allied health. Describe their roles, credentials,training,authority and limitations in regard to patient care. HINT: the MD and DO are in the driver’s seat. For checkups and health problems people go toa primary care provider (PCP). A PCP practitioner can be chosen after a person has identified a health care plan. According to MedlinePlus medical encyclopedia, Care providers include medical doctors also known as MD, doctors of osteopathic medicine (DO),OB/ GYN, Nurse practitioners and physician assistants("Types of health care providers: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia," n.d.). Mid-level providers of care are nurse practitioners andphysician assistants. People in this category are allowed by the state to have their own practices, including writing their own prescriptions ("Midlevel Providers Fill Primary Care Doctors' Shoes: NPR," n.d.). They basically do the things doctors do. This is in reference to Mid-level providersfill primary care doctors’ shoes. Occupational therapy,speech pathology, and physical therapy belong to a group known as allied health providers("allied health - definition of allied health by Medical dictionary," n.d.). They prescribe the health- care services mentioned above because they are licensed professionals. 5. What trends are we seeing in the most common forms of physician medical practice and other ambulatory care at this time? Describe the changing forms of physician practice and ambulatory care in the US, as a result of managed care.support your answer, Solo and group practice are the two primary non-institutional settings for the provision of ambulatory care. Some factors that have enhanced the preference of grouppractice for many practitioners are: the changing lifestyle cost of establishing a practice,personal financial pressure on practitioners, contracting and affiliation opportunities under managed care and lastlythe burdens of running a business. Other settings other than solo practices have assumed a more lucrative role in the healthcare system. This is because they provide a further mechanism for the integration, management and good control of health care services. (Williams& Torrens, 2008) 6. Cite and briefly describe the roles of the three primary sources of power in modern us hospitals. Which do you feel has the greatest amount of power/ support your decision with examples and primary sources? The three sources of power governing entity,medical staff, and administration revolve around a center called hospital. The governing entities hold the greatest amount of power. Their roles are specified in the legal charter. It grants privileges to doctors to work at the hospital and assigns the task to the medical staff. The entities that govern hospitals have assigned daily management of the institution to the hospital administration, while the critical clinical affairs to the medical staff. The medical staff is organized formally with by-laws,elected officials with specific duties, (William&Torrens, 2008). It also ensures quality care is provided in the hospitals. References Allied health - definition of allied health by Medical dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/allied+health Williams, S. J., & Torrens, P. R. (1980). Introduction to health services. New York: Wiley Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (1997; 105th Congress H.R. 2015) - GovTrack.us. (n.d.) . Retrieved from https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/105/hr2015 Medicare-Medicaid Coordination - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.), Retrieved from http://www.cms.gov/Medicare-Medicaid-Coordination/Medicare-MedicaidCoordination.html Midlevel Providers Fill Primary Care Doctors' Shoes: NPR. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129398647 Types of health care providers: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001933.htm Read More