Introduction to the U.S. Health Care Delivery System Essay 3 - My response to a classmate's discussion

This is a threaded discussion that I am suppose to answer the questions and then respond to a classmates repsonse. I am going to choose the classmates response and post it below. Components Which of the characteristics or components (define at least two) have the most significant impact on the health care delivery system in the United States? What makes these more impactful than the other 8 characteristics? ***THIS IS THE POST THAT I WILL BE REPLYING TO BY SHAWNA BREWER Of the ten characteristics discussed, although in my opinion I believe all parts play a significant role, the two that are most significant are access to health care and no central agency. According to Shi and Singh, the United States has a high populous of uninsured citizens (2008, pg 11). The significance to healthcare delivery is the fact that citizens are not able to pay for high fees and therefore are not receiving quality, continuous care. They have to wait until their symptoms progress to the point where they have to visit the emergency room. This is unsat. Compared to other countries, the United States does not have a universal system in place that takes care of its people. The next characteristic that impacts U.S. health care delivery is that of no central agency. Many other countries have a national health care system in place in which there is one main agency. The U.S. has a multitude of companies that allows employers to choose which healthcare plan best fits their needs. This leaves many uninsured Americans. I believe this is why the U.S. health care system is hanging by a thread and President Obama is so keen on revising the system with his Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama Care. Many politicians and U.S. citizens are against this over haul of the health care system but obviously the current system is not working because so many are uninsured. Something needs to be done and the central agency system is working in other countries, why wouldn't it work in ours? I believe these two characteristics are the ones that most significantly impact U.S. health care delivery system. Having a centralized health care system would act as a backbone to all the other characteristics and since we do not have one in place I think that's what makes it so significant. Also, if there was a centralized system, like Obama Care, then many uninsured Americans could get the care they need. References Shi, L. and Singh, D.A. (2008). Delivering Health Care in America: A Systems Approach 4th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Barlett Publishers Required Readings DeVore, S., & Champion, R.. (2011). Driving Population Health Through Accountable Care Organizations. Health Affairs, 30(1), 41-50. Retrieved November 28, 2011, from ProQuest: http://proquest(dot)umi(dot)com/pqdweb?did=2248518601&sid=1&Fmt=4&clientId=29440&RQT=309&VName=PQD Schoen, C., Osborn, R., Squires, D., Doty, M., Pierson, R., & Applebaum, S.. (2010). How Health Insurance Design Affects Access To Care And Costs, By Income, In Eleven Countries. Health Affairs, 29(12), 2323-2334. Retrieved November 28, 2011, from ProQuest: http://proquest(dot)umi(dot)com/pqdweb?did=2234090661&sid=1&Fmt=4&clientId=29440&RQT=309&VName=PQD Kuhn, H.. (2010). New Reimbursement Models Challenge Providers and Create Opportunities. Frontiers of Health Services Management, 27(1), 39-44. Retrieved November 28, 2011, from ProQuest: http://proquest(dot)umi(dot)com/pqdweb?did=2168283371&sid=1&Fmt=3&clientId=29440&RQT=309&VName=PQD Jain, S., Seidman, J., & Blumenthal, D.. (2010). How Health Plans, Health Systems, And Others In The Private Sector Can Stimulate 'Meaningful Use'. Health Affairs, 29(9), 1667-70. Retrieved November 28, 2011, from ProQuest: http://proquest(dot)umi(dot)com/pqdweb?did=2147669601&sid=1&Fmt=3&clientId=29440&RQT=309&VName=PQD Mello, M., Chandra, A., Gawande, A., & Studdert, D.. (2010). National Costs Of The Medical Liability System. Health Affairs, 29(9), 1569-77. Retrieved November 28, 2011, from ProQuest: http://proquest(dot)umi(dot)com/pqdweb?did=2147669461&sid=1&Fmt=4&clientId=29440&RQT=309&VName=PQD Orszag, P., & Emanuel, E.. (2010). Health Care Reform and Cost Control. The New England Journal of Medicine, 363(7), 601-3. Retrieved November 28, 2011, from ProQuest: http://proquest(dot)umi(dot)com/pqdweb?did=2108929071&sid=1&Fmt=3&clientId=29440&RQT=309&VName=PQD Everett, M. D., and Anthony, M. S. (2005). Healthcare costs and benefits: A future direction for financial planning research. Journal of Personal Finance, 4(4), 69-85. Retrieved Novemer 28, 2011 from http://proquest(dot)umi(dot)com/pqdweb?did=1020319421&sid=12&Fmt=4&clientId=29440&RQT=309&VName=PQD McCanne, D. R., MacDonald, D. C. (2000). Q: Would single-payer health insurance be good for America? Insight on the News 16 (12), 40. Retrieved November 28, 2011 from http://proquest(dot)umi(dot)com/pqdweb?did=51007409&sid=7&Fmt=3&clientId=29440&RQT=309&VName=PQD Website Resources (may be used through the entire course) The Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care (2011). Home Page. Retrieved from http://www(dot)dartmouthatlas(dot)org/. U.S. Department of Labor (2011). Frequently Asked Questions about COBRA Continuation Health Coverage. Retrieved from http://www(dot)dol(dot)gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_cobra.html. U.S. Department of Labor (2011). Frequently Asked Questions about Portability of Health Coverage and HIPAA. Retrieved from http://www(dot)dol(dot)gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_hipaa.html. Optional Readings Economic History Services (n.d.) Health Insurance in the United States. Retrieved November 28, 2011 from http://eh(dot)net/encyclopedia/article/thomasson.insurance.health.us.