How to Solve the Inaccessibility of Health Care Services - Personal Statement Example

The Honorable Kathleen Sebelius Secretary of Health and Human Services U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20201 Dear Secretary Sebelius I would like to submit a proposal geared towards solving the inaccessibility of health care services in our community. This proposal has identified the key issues and problems revolving around the inaccessibility of health care services in the community. Among the problems highlighted in this proposal include; communication, Social, demographic and economic inequalities. Moreover, this proposal offers a step-by-step action plan that can enable your department to follow in order to address and solve the identified problems with regards to the accessibility of healthcare services in the community. Yours Sincerely, Indre Ryseviene. Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 A Proposal to Solve the Inaccessibility of Health Care Services 2 Executive summary 2 Introduction 3 Actual problem 4 Communication problems 6 Social-Economic inequalities 8 Demographic Inequalities 10 Recommendations 11 Conclusion 14 A Proposal to Solve the Inaccessibility of Health Care Services Executive summary This proposal has discussed the key issues and problems revolving around the inaccessibility of healthcare services in the United States. Among the key issues that contribute to the inaccessibility of health care service include communication problems, socio-economic and demographic disparities. It has been established in this proposal that accessing quality health care is one of the major challenges that people without medical insurance encounter in the communities across the United States. One of the main factors influencing people’s access to decent medical care is the means of communication used by the health care centers and the government practices when providing decent medical services. The American population is diverse in nature since it comprises consists of people with different social, economic and demographic factors. Despite of these factors, insurance service providers, healthcare systems and the government have failed to implement effective communication channels and models that are suitable for the diverse American population. As a result, many people are unable to access vital health information with regards to health insurance coverage; this has in turn contributed to more and more people lacking insurance coverage. In the U.S, the social-economic status and demographic aspects of a person are the main determining aspects of ones accessibility to quality healthcare services. This has in turn contributed to health care disparities and the inaccessibility of health care service. In response to these issues, this proposal recommends that the government and insurance service providers should conduct audits and extensive research in order to assess the magnitude of these issues. The government should also direct its funding towards addressing issues with regards to the inaccessibility of health care services. In addition, there is need to restructure the means of communication used to communicate to the public on health care issues. Introduction The overall cost of healthcare is very taxing and expensive, these exorbitant costs of healthcare have drove some people to bankruptcy and devastation. Since it is impossible for one to predict when they might suffer from an ailment or get into an accident, it is usually important to plan ahead. Getting a health insurance is one of the best options that guarantees quality healthcare at any given time without any cost reparations. The lack of health insurance can be regarded as a life threatening factor (Bovbjerg& Hadley 2). People without healthcare coverage get less medical attention since they cannot afford the cost of proper health care from out of their pockets. Accessing quality health care is one of the major challenges that people without medical insurance encounter in the communities across the United States. Over time, health insurance providers have come up with versatile health care coverage that can suit people with different income levels and medical needs. The federal government continues to try to meet its citizens’ health care needs while balancing the political realities of offering universal health care. Despite these efforts, health care services remain inaccessible to a considerable segment of the United States population, which inevitably results in many unnecessary deaths (Rainey 112). The inaccessibility of health care services can be attributed to factors such communication problems social, demographic and economic inequalities. This proposal will expound on the listed problems that contribute to the inaccessibility of health care services within certain communities across the United States. In addition, this proposal will seek to give recommendations on how these issues can be addressed and solved. Actual problem Currently, the healthcare insurance sector in the U.S is faced with certain challenges with regards to coverage. Key among these challenges includes coverage gaps that exist in communities that contribute to the inaccessibility of healthcare services which in turn leads to the occurrence of deaths that could be avoided. According to the Institute of Medicine, (IOM. Edu) over 18,000 people die annually in the U.S due to the existing insurance coverage gaps. A study conducted by the Government Accountability Office indicates that the overall number of service providers offering health care coverage in the US is on the decline. This trend is especially apparent in small and private health insurance service providers. For instance, in 2001 at least 60% of private and small health insurance service providers which have a staff capacity of 3 to 199 employees offered employee health insurance coverage. It was reported in 2006 that these figures dropped by 60%. Furthermore, according to statistics from the Institute of Medicine, the number of uninsured individuals in the U.S is on the rise (Kimbuende & Usha). Every year, the amount of money that the government uses on national healthcare increases by 7% each year. The increasing cost of healthcare further heightens the problems revolving around the accessibility of healthcare services across communities in U.S. The 2004 US Census reveals that over 46 million people are uninsured; this is a 6% increase in the figures obtained from the studies conducted in 2000. The increase in the costs of health care service and the reduction of health insurance coverage amongst people in the U.S has made it hard for individuals and families to get quality and timely medical treatment in suitable medical facilities. Consequently, people succumb to severe medical problems, with the increasing costs of health care in the U.S healthcare systems a good number of people are rendered bankrupt (Kimbuende & Usha). These problems can be attributed to factors as communication problems, social, demographic and economic inequalities (Kimbuende & Usha). Communication problems One of the main factors influencing people’s access to decent medical care is the means of communication used by the health care centers and the government practices when providing decent medical services. There is a desperate need to improve communication between insurance service providers and the consumers, particularly with regards to the channels and terminologies used to communicate on important factors such benefits statements, scope of coverage and costs among many other factors. The American population is diverse in nature since it comprises consists of people with different social, economic and demographic factors. Further more, the American population consists of people from different racial backgrounds, language groups, ages and people with different educational levels. Notwithstanding these factors, insurance service providers, healthcare systems and the government have failed to implement effective communication channels and models that are suitable for the diverse American population. As a result, many people are unable to access vital health information with regards to health insurance coverage; this has in turn contributed to more and more people lacking insurance coverage (King & Wheeler 102). One of the key problems with the existing model of communication used by insurance service providers, healthcare systems and the government revolves around the channels used in communicating health messages. For instance, the internet is commonly used by most insurance service providers as means of communication mainly because it is cheap, accessible and it offers a more favorable communication platform to the public. Most insurance service providers have websites and databases that incorporate all the useful information revolving around benefits statements, scope of coverage and costs among many other factors. While millennial generation individuals are technology savvy and can navigate the internet with ease, a high percentage of people are technologically illiterate and hence they are unfamiliar with this commonly used means of communication. Similarly, the American population also comprises of people who are illiterate and cannot understand health messages communicated in literatures and billboards (King & Wheeler 102). Language barriers are another factor that government and insurance providers in the U.S have failed to address when it comes to communicating to the public about health insurance coverage. Owing to the fact that English is an official language in the U.S, in most cases communications on health coverage are conveyed in English. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that the overall American population comprises of people who solely understand and speak languages such as Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Chinese and Tagalog among many other languages. Moreover, people with disabilities such as the deaf and the blind are hardly communicated to about the accessibility of healthcare services. It is rare to find health communications conveyed is sign language or braille. By using English only in communications, certain language groups are left ignorant on useful messages about health insurance coverage. Moreover, some terminologies used by insurance service providers are usually difficult to understand especially for people who are illiterate or non-English speakers (King & Wheeler 102). A study carried out in 2003 indicated that one third of physicians in healthcare centers in U.S.A, do not communicate to their patients about the range of medical services that they can benefit from due to the restrictions perceived in their insurance cover. This study confirmed that physicians with many patients especially Medicaid tend to omit information about the services offered due to the perceived health insurance coverage restriction (Tokarski). Social-Economic inequalities Healthcare inequalities can considered be as the disparities in the accessibility of quality health care with regards to socioeconomic groups, gender and race divisions. Social-economic inequalities are among the main contributing factors to healthcare inequalities and eventually the accessibility of health care services. In the U.S, the social-economic status of a person is one of the main determining aspects of ones accessibility to quality healthcare services. Persons of lower socio-economic status in the U.S are bound to have a low level health insurance coverage hence their accessibility healthcare services is somewhat limited. In most cases, persons of lower economic status tend to be less educated and hence they have low paying jobs. Furthermore, due to low level of education, people from low socio-economic status tend to be ignorant on healthcare communication conveyed by insurance service providers or the government through channels like, the internet, television or even radio. As a result, even when it comes to free medical services people from this group may not be aware since the channel of communication used to convey this message in unfamiliar to them. With low paying jobs, spending on health cover might be a major challenge especially for large families since there are other priorities such as food, shelter and school fees. The accessibility of medical services for persons from low social-economic are further limited due to the increasing costs of medical services in the United States (Merzel 909). Individuals living in big cities have a higher advantage than people living in small towns when it comes to accessing health care services. This is mainly because the best medical institutions with advanced equipments and very professional physicians are mainly based in big cities and towns. As a result, the accessibility of medical services for individuals living in small towns is somewhat limited since the best of the best is based in the big cities. For example, Patients with chronic illness such as cancer or kidney diseases have to travel long distances in order to access quality health care services such as chemotherapy and dialysis. For people with low incomes this could be a major challenge since they will incur many costs due to traveling long distances. Additionally, for persons with no health care insurance coverage this could be a milestone that could render them bankruptcy since such treatments are vey costly (Merzel 909). On the other hand, persons of high socio-economic status tend to have adequate access to quality medical services. In most cases, individuals of high socio-economic status tend to be well educated thus they have well paying jobs that might incorporate comprehensive health insurance coverage. Therefore, for persons from high economic status accessing health care services is not a major challenge (King & Wheeler 102). In fact certain studies show that diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, measles, diarrheal diseases, pneumonia and AIDS are mostly prevalent in persons of low socio-economic status. In addition, maternal mortality and infant mortality are also more prevalent amongst persons with low economic status. Persons of high socio-economic status do not succumb to these conditions mainly because they have accessibility to quality health care services, hence they can go fro check up and screening of diseases no and then. When disease is detected earlier the chance of their curability is very high. Disease associated with people of low socio-economic status reflects on the relationship between social-economic inequalities and the accessibility of health care services (Merzel 909). Demographic Inequalities The relationship accessibility of healthcare services and demographic aspects like race and gender is indeed surprising. In the U.S, as compared to men, women are more likely to have more frequent and higher access to health care services. By looking at the overall insurance coverage, it is evident there exists a disparity between men and women and the accessibility of healthcare services. Generally, women have better access to quality health care services than men mainly due to the fact that they have a high rate in health insurance coverage. These gender-based disparities in the accessibility of health care services reveal that men lag behind when it comes to health insurance coverage. These gender-based disparities in the accessibility of health care services can be attributed to the different government assistance and privileges that women receive from insurance service providers and the government. Women particularly those with children get a higher level of assistance such as premium reductions and offers than men. This has in turn contributed to gender-based disparities in the accessibility of health care services (Merzel 910). According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, race is major determinant factors when it comes it comes to the accessibility of healthcare services. The U.S is known for having major disparities between races with regards to the accessibility of health care services. Studies show that ethnic minorities such as Hispanic Americans, African, and Latinos among many other groups have less access to insurance coverage than other ethnic groups as a result they receive less health care. Basically, the inequalities in the accessibility of healthcare in the United States are brought by racial issues since great disparity exists between the whites and the ethnic minorities. Ethnic minorities continue to rank extensively lower than whites when it comes to health insurance coverage and accessibility of adequate health care services (Merzel 911). Recommendations Based on the findings of this study, it is evident that there are major disparities in the provision of health care services and this has in turn contributed to the inaccessibility of health care services across communities in the United States. The two bodies that communicate with the public on health care coverage are the health insurance providers and the federal government. It is to these two that we must look to increase public outreach to solve the medical crisis of the uninsured. Although everyone is in consensus that there is for change, there are many different opinions on how to address these issues. Thus this proposal will depict the available remedies and recommend the most suitable ways to address this problem. Foremost, in order to address this issue on inaccessibility of health care services across communities in the United States. It is essential to foster an accurate and concise understanding on the weight of this matter. This proposal has briefly highlighted some of the key issues that contribute to the inaccessibility of health care services in communities. However, there is need for further research to be carried out so as to determine the extent of this problem. Therefore, both the government and insurance service providers should carry out extensive research and audits to determine the issues facing different communities with regards to the inaccessibility of health care services and the best approaches that can be used to resolve these issues. In order to address the inequality issues in the accessibility of healthcare services in United States should employ analytical tools established by the World Health Organization to assess the inequalities of accessing medical services within various communities (The World Health Report 9). The role of the government in solving issues revolving around the inaccessibility of health care services is paramount. This is mainly because the government has the political mandate and capacity to effect positive change in the health care sector. In order to solve problems in health care inequalities, the government should use its political mandate to enact policies that will ensure that everyone regardless of their gender, race or socio economic status can access cost effective health care services. Moreover, the government should introduce policies that require employers to provide health insurance coverage plans that will make it mandatory for each employee regardless of the level of their income to have health insurance coverage (Merzel 909). The U.S government should increase its funding on health care so as to help more people to access quality health care. This funding should be directed towards solving issues with regards to the inaccessibility of health care services. For instance, the government should initiate health programs such as mobile clinics that have free or subsidized health care services particularly in communities with poor people. Furthermore, the government should offer aid to both public and private insurance service providers. This will enable insurance providers to reduce the costs of their health premiums. Through the ministry of health, the federal government can ensure equitable accessibility of medical services to the communities. The government can strengthen health care system across the country by providing financial support and medical resources (Tokarski). Improving the model of communication used to convey health care messages to the general public is one of the most important steps that both the government and insurance public providers should undertake in order to solve the inaccessibility of health care services. It is essential for the decision makers in the case the government and insurance service providers to acknowledge the disparities in educational level, language groups, socio-economic factors, and demographic factors. These factors should be put into consideration when deciding which channel or terminologies to be used to communicate to the general public. In order for the government and the health insurance providers to reach all types of social groups across the United States, it is essential to incorporate both conventional and new methods of delivering its message to the community. A good example of a conventional method that the government and health insurance providers can employ to reach the illiterate population is by instituting a door to door health sensitization campaigns. By conducting these campaigns, more people will be sensitized about how they can access health care. Moreover, this method will enable a one-on- one interaction between service providers and people at the grass root level. This will also give people a platform whereby the can ask questions and get clarifications on areas that they do not understand (King & Wheeler 102). Miscommunication is a leading cause of unhealthy practices within health care systems and the community at large. Thus there is a need for the government and the health insurance providers to modify its channel of communication in such a way that these messages can be easily conveyed to both the literate and illiterate members of the community. This will in turn ensure equitable access to medical services amongst all members of the community (Sabri 32). In addition, the government and insurance service providers should use different languages to communicate to the public. Given the fact that, the population in the United States consists of people from different language groups, it is important for communications to be conveyed in other languages other than English so that all people can get information regardless of their language group. People with disabilities such as the deaf and the blind should also not be left unattended to. Information should also be available in sign language and braille (King & Wheeler 102). Conclusion The lack of health insurance can be regarded as a life threatening factor. This mainly because accessing quality health care is one of the major challenges that people without medical insurance encounter in the communities across the United States. Despite these efforts, health care services remain inaccessible to a considerable segment of the United States population, which inevitably results in many unnecessary deaths (Rainey 112). The inaccessibility of health care services can be attributed to factors such communication problems social, demographic and economic inequalities. The two bodies that communicate with the public on health care coverage are the health insurance providers and the federal government. It is to these two that we must look to increase public outreach to solve the medical crisis of the uninsured. This proposal has examined these issues and has sought to give out recommendations on the course of action that should be taken in order to address and solve these issues. In order to address this issue on inaccessibility of health care services across communities in the United States. The government and insurance service providers should conduct extensive research to determine the magnitude of issues that deter people from accessing health care services. Moreover, government funding should be directed towards solving issues with regards to the inaccessibility of health care services. Restructuring the model of communication used to convey health care messages to the general public is a key step that both the government and insurance public providers should carryout in order to solve the inaccessibility of health care services. There is a need for the government and the health insurance providers to modify its channel of communication in such a way that these messages can be easily conveyed to people from different socio economic groups, educational levels and language groups (King & Wheeler 102). Works Cited Cunningham, Peter & Hadley, Jack. Availability of Safety-Net Providers and Access to Care of Uninsured Persons. Health Services Research 2004, 39(5): 1527–46. Cunningham, Peter & Hadley, Jack. Expanding Care versus Expanding Coverage: How to Improve Access to Care. Health Affairs 2004, 23(4): 234–44. Bovbjerg, Randall & Hadley, Jack. Why heath insurance is important. DC-SPG no. 1, November 2007, p 1-3. Kimbuende, Eric & Ranji, Usha et al. United States Healthcare Costs. Retrieved on November 29, 2010http://www.kaiseredu.org/Issue-Modules/US-Health-Care-Costs/Background- Brief.aspx King, Talmadge & Wheeler, Margaret. Medical management of vulnerable and underserved patients: principles, practice, and populations. New York: McGraw- Hill. 2006, p 102. Merzel, Cheryl. Gender differences in health care access indicators in an urban, low-income community. American Journal of Public Health.2000, 90(6), 909-916. Rainey, Halg.Understanding and Managing Public Organizations Essential Texts for Nonprofit and Public Leadership and Management. Edition4.New York: John Wiley and Sons.2009, p 112. Sabri, Belgacemc. Social health insurance in the region. Journal of the International Social Security Association. 2004. p 32. The World Health Report 2000. Health systems: improving performance. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2000, p9. Tokarski, Cathy. Insurance Coverage Inhibits Physician-Patient Communication, Study Finds. Retrieved on November 29, 2010< http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/458801> Read More