clear and concise reflective essay that discusses a future challenge in our healthcare system.
This essay should be double spaced and no more than 3 pages in length (excluding reference page).
The essay should include and reference at least 3 talking points from the text to develop your essay and/or support your argument.
Summarizes and demonstrates critical analysis of 3 key points. Uses credible sources as evidence to support claims.
Writing uses correct punctuation, spelling, and citations 100% of the time.
Writing uses proper grammar 100% of the time. Sentences flow well and vary in construction and length.
Clear statements given to support claim of the information learned throughout the course.
use:
https://news.gallup.com/opinion/polling-matters/468893/challenge-healthcare-reform.aspx
About policy reforms:
https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2022/04/28/hhs-announces-new-policy-make-coverage-more-accessible-affordable-for-millions-americans-in-2023.html
https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2022/sep/next-steps-expanding-health-coverage-affordability
https://www.who.int/activities/implementing-health-financing-reform
https://equityhealthj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12939-016-0335-7
Financial burdens significantly disrupt healthcare accessibility, creating disparities in patient health outcomes. Policy reforms are essential to address these challenges and ensure equitable healthcare access. For instance, recent healthcare policy initiatives, such as the ones introduced by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), aim to make health insurance more affordable and comprehensive by standardizing plan options and enhancing network adequacy requirements. These changes are designed to simplify the consumer experience and ensure access to necessary services without excessive out-of-pocket costs (HHS.gov) (Home).
Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the importance of health financing reforms in achieving universal health coverage (UHC). Effective health financing strategies must be tailored to the unique contexts of individual countries to address specific performance problems. WHO supports countries by providing technical assistance and promoting best practices in budgeting and public financial management to align with health financing systems (World Health Organization (WHO)).
Moreover, social policies can play a crucial role in improving financial accessibility to healthcare. Studies highlight that reducing private expenditures and user fees, which disproportionately affect low-income households, can significantly enhance healthcare accessibility. Policies that provide exemptions or fee reductions for vulnerable groups, such as children, pregnant women, and low-income individuals, are particularly effective in mitigating the financial barriers to healthcare (BioMed Central).
In summary, policy reforms that focus on expanding insurance coverage, restructuring health financing, and implementing social protection measures are vital to overcoming the financial barriers that disrupt healthcare accessibility and create health disparities. These reforms not only improve health outcomes but also promote equity and fairness in the healthcare system.
About Redirection of financing systems:
https://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/nhqrdr/nhqdr22/index.html
Bodenheimer, T., & Grumbach, K. (2020). Understanding Health Policy: A Clinical Approach, Eighth Edition. McGraw Hill.
Disparities in Health and Health Care: 5 Key Questions and Answers
https://nationalhealthcouncil.org/blog/limited-access-poverty-and-barriers-to-accessible-health-care/
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/2812750
Financial burdens significantly disrupt the accessibility of healthcare, thereby creating disparities in patient health outcomes. These disparities are evident in various forms, such as the inability of low-income individuals to afford necessary medical treatments, resulting in poorer health outcomes compared to those who are economically better off. The high cost of healthcare leads to delayed treatments, skipped medications, and avoidance of preventive care, all of which exacerbate health issues.
Redirection of healthcare financing systems can play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges. The current system often involves high administrative costs and inefficiencies that do not directly contribute to patient care. Streamlining these processes and reallocating funds toward direct patient care can reduce overall costs and improve accessibility. For instance, reducing wasteful spending on administrative processes and focusing resources on patient-centered care can significantly enhance healthcare affordability and accessibility (AHRQ, 2022).
Moreover, shifting to value-based care models is crucial. Unlike the fee-for-service model, which incentivizes quantity over quality, value-based care focuses on patient outcomes. This model encourages healthcare providers to offer high-quality care at lower costs, thus improving health outcomes and making healthcare more affordable for patients (Bodenheimer & Grumbach, 2020). Such models are essential for reducing disparities as they align financial incentives with patient health, promoting better care for underserved populations (KFF, 2021).
Addressing the root causes of healthcare disparities requires comprehensive policy reforms and innovative financing strategies that prioritize equitable access to healthcare services. This approach will ensure that all individuals, regardless of their economic status, can access the necessary medical care without undue financial hardship (National Health Council, 2023; JAMA Network, 2023).
About new models of value and care of patients:
https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/explainer/2023/feb/value-based-care-what-it-is-why-its-needed
https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/payment-delivery-models/what-value-based-care
https://www.ajmc.com/view/increasing-health-equity-to-reduce-disparities-in-value-based-care
https://nihcm.org/publications/improving-health-care-outcomes-supporting-providers-in-value-based-care
Financial burdens significantly disrupt healthcare accessibility, creating disparities in patient health outcomes. Value-based care models offer a promising approach to addressing these challenges by shifting the focus from the volume of services provided to the quality and effectiveness of care.
Value-based care models are designed to incentivize healthcare providers to deliver high-quality care that improves patient outcomes while controlling costs. Unlike traditional fee-for-service models, where providers are paid for each service they perform, value-based care ties compensation to the achievement of specific health outcomes. This approach encourages providers to focus on preventive care, better management of chronic conditions, and the overall health of their patients (Home) (American Medical Association).
One of the key benefits of value-based care is its potential to reduce health disparities. By linking payments to the quality and equity of care, these models incentivize providers to address the social determinants of health and ensure that all patients, regardless of their economic status, receive high-quality care. For example, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have implemented various value-based programs that reward healthcare providers for improving care coordination and reducing unnecessary hospitalizations, which are crucial steps in reducing health disparities (AJMC).
Moreover, value-based care models promote better integration and coordination among healthcare professionals. This collaborative approach helps to eliminate redundancies, reduce medical errors, and ensure that patients receive comprehensive care tailored to their individual needs. By focusing on patient-centered care, value-based models can improve health outcomes for historically marginalized populations who often face barriers to accessing care (NIHCM).
Implementing value-based care models also requires robust data collection and analysis to monitor and improve care quality and equity. For instance, demographic data and social determinants of health must be tracked to identify disparities and develop targeted interventions. This data-driven approach ensures that healthcare providers are held accountable for delivering equitable care and continuously improving their practices (American Medical Association).
In summary, addressing the financial burdens that disrupt healthcare accessibility through value-based care models is a critical step towards reducing health disparities. By incentivizing high-quality, patient-centered care, these models can improve health outcomes and ensure that all individuals, regardless of their economic status, have access to the care they need.
