Access to Insurance Versus Access to Care - Research Paper Example

Access to Insurance versus Access to Care Access to Insurance versus Access to Care Iglehart, 2009, argues that limited access to health care results from expensive insurance policies. Main challenges limiting accessibility of health care besides expensive insurance policies is the presence of a large population of undocumented immigrants (Monga, Keller & Venters, 2014). Federal health care reforms, however, address problems of accessibility through legislation of 2010 health care reform Acts to help improve medical care access.

Among the highest percentage of American population experiencing limited health care access are undocumented immigrants. They have limited access to health care compared to legal immigrants and native citizens. Overtime, undocumented immigrants are restricted from accessing Medicare and obtaining Medicaid, which are the main insurance programs. Fear of deportation, job restrictions and language barriers are the vital factors limiting undocumented immigrants to accessing health care (Bond & Bond, 1994).

In order to provide unlimited health care to United States citizens, there should be an amendment on health care system policies. Policies for improvement include universal health care, increasing competition and accountability in health care, and making health care system accessible and affordable. Implementing these policies would ensure that all inhabitants of United States access affordable health care.Policy makers should implement a single health insurance system policy for realization of health care accessibility.

In this policy, all citizens are entitled to medical care in spite of age, job or race according to Medicare system. In addition, the government should design strategies of providing medical insurance and not just delivering health care to strengthen Medicare policy. Furthermore, implemented policies should encourage non-profit and private health care resource providers. Implementation of health and Medicare policies would ensure accessibility to quality and affordable care to all citizens irrespective of income or employment status.

Though there is availability of health care access, high prices of insurance policies hinder it. To enhance affordability and access of health care, provision of medical care should be through auto insurance system. An auto insurance system would widen choice for insurance cover and lessen government bureaucracy in health care sector. Increasing choice of health care would present different health care choices for citizens. Besides, competition amongst health care providers would increase which will consequently decrease insurance and health care costs.

Furthermore, government can mitigate limited health care access through giving tax credits to business and citizens as well as improving transparency in the insurance sector (Iglehart, 2009).Improving health care access would also involve steeping medical bills in cases of emergencies. In addition, United States should furnish all citizens with medical insurance for catastrophic events or serious infections. Furthermore, the government should set medical care prices to make insurance policies inexpensive.

Insurance premiums should also be limited such that health care providers bargain with insurance companies.Federal health care reform recently passed was mainly on health care and education affordability reconciliation Act and patient protection and affordable care Act. Health care reform mandated purchase of products of private insurance companies. Legislation of 2010 reforms was positive as it increased accessibility of health insurance to poor citizens (Davis, 2010). Besides, government allocated more funds to community medical centers.

Moreover, there was a reduction in discriminations in private insurance corporations though federal regulations. The ultimate goal of 2010 health care reforms was to increase accessibility and affordability of health care. Consequently, increased medical care access would improve health standards of citizens (WHO, 2010).As addressed above, lifting limited access to health care requires the government to pass affordable insurance policies by regulating insurance companies. In addition, health care reforms such as legislation of 2010 would increase medical care affordability and access.

Access to insurance and care are fundamental and should be accessible to all citizens. ReferencesBond, J & Bond, S. (1994) Sociology & Health Care: an Introduction for Nurses and other Health Care Professionals. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.Davis, K. (2010, June). A New Era in American Health Care: Realizing the Potential of Reform. The Commonwealth Fund. Retrieved from http://www.commonwealthfund.org/~/media/files/publications/fund-report/2010/jun/new-era/1419_davis_new_era_american_hlt_care.

pdfIglehart, J. (2009). Reform and the Health Care Workforce Current Capacity, Future Demand. New England Journal of Medicine, 361(19), e38. Retrieved from the ProQuest Central database in the Walden Library.Monga, P., Keller, A., & Venters, H. (2014). Prevention and Punishment: Barriers to Accessing Health Services for Undocumented Immigrants in the United States. Laws, 3, 50-60.World Health Organization (WHO). (2003). Quality and Accreditation in Health Care Services. Geneva. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/hrh/documents/en/quality_accreditation.pdf