Basics of the US Health Care System Example | Topics and Well Written Essays

Basics of the US Health Care System - Essay Example

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"Basics of the US Health Care System" is a wonderful example of a paper on the health system. A feature of the US healthcare system is the managed care system. This system of healthcare aims at achieving efficiency through the integration of the basic functions of healthcare delivery (Niles, 2011). It employs mechanisms to control the utilization of medical services. It determines the prices that get paid for healthcare services and the cost that gets paid to the providers. The characteristic of this system is its use of a network of health providers to provide care for enrollees.

This feature of the American health care system is significant as it is the most dominant healthcare delivery system in the country and is available to most citizens (Niles, 2011). This system gets primarily financed by employers and the government. It is vital for health policy and reform as it involves two important players of the country’s economy in the government and the employers. The two are major determinants of political, social, and economic reforms in the country.

The passing of the PPACA has faced legal challenges in regards to its constitutionality. The Act has faced opposition from some organizations, states, and lawmakers who are opposed to its individual mandate (Marcinko & Retico, 2012). The Act imposes a health insurance mandate that is set to commence in 2014. This Act calls for certain persons to purchase health insurance as a requirement by law. This has led to the Act being the subject of litigation and face opposition at the Supreme Court and various federal courts.

The constitutional challenge facing the PPACA displays how difficult health reform in the US can become. Health reform in the country is a difficult undertaking as different states have their preferences of healthcare delivery. The policy-making process in the country is a complicated process as there exist many different stakeholders with varied interests (Harrington & Estes, 2008).