How Organizational Health Policies Impact Social Determinants of Health

Healthcare Policy: Benefiting the Community and those in Need
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Introduction
The phrase “social determinants of health” (SDOH) refers to social elements influencing an individual’s health. The use of various tactics by collectives to enhance their well-being can substantially affect these factors (American College of Healthcare Executives, 2021). The evident presence of government-funded healthcare programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is highly conspicuous. Determining health outcomes relies not only on the expeditious provision of healthcare services and their cost-effectiveness. Several socioeconomic aspects also contribute to this phenomenon.
Discussion
The administration of Medicaid is a collaborative effort between the federal government and each respective state. This initiative’s primary goal is to support people and families with limited financial resources to acquire health insurance coverage (Rosenbaum et al., 2022). Ensuring equitable access to certain medical services for persons typically lacking such opportunities is crucial in mitigating health disparities. As a result of the expansion of Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a significant population of low-income persons who were previously ineligible can now access preventative care, effectively manage chronic illnesses, and obtain timely intervention therapies. Historically, individuals belonging to minority groups, encompassing individuals of diverse ethnicities and races, have consistently encountered inequitable treatment and had challenges accessing adequate healthcare services (Rosenbaum et al., 2022). The suggested augmentation aims to mitigate these gaps and guarantee equitable access to healthcare for all individuals.
In contrast, Medicare predominantly supports persons who have reached the age of 65 or above. Still, it is worth noting that specific disabled individuals in their twenties and thirties may also be eligible for medical care under this program (Johnson Foundation, 2016). Medicare plays a crucial role in facilitating access to medical services for a significant population of elderly folks, albeit its primary objective is not explicitly geared toward alleviating the financial burdens of the underprivileged. Consequently, Medicare exerts a substantial influence in mitigating health inequities. Medicare effectively addresses the financial barriers that impede individuals from accessing timely medical services by providing coverage for hospital admissions, outpatient consultations with physicians, and prescribed drugs (Singh et al., 2015). This assertion holds particular significance in the context of chronic illnesses that have a disproportionate impact on the elderly population.
The American healthcare system has undergone substantial transformations due to the enactment and execution of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). As mentioned above, the goal was achieved by implementing health insurance marketplaces and enforcing more stringent eligibility criteria for Medicaid coverage (Singh et al., 2015). By expanding the scope of rights to encompass a broader range of individuals, these modifications effectively tackle socioeconomic determinants that impact individuals’ well-being. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates that insurance companies cannot refuse coverage or impose elevated premiums based on pre-existing diseases (Cronin, 2017). Addressing this issue is crucial in mitigating health inequalities that arise from inequitable healthcare access.
Furthermore, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) effectively abolished patient co-payments by requiring that insurance policies encompass specific preventive care. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act required individuals to avail themselves of preventative c...