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Discussion: Historical Developments in Healthcare Delivery

Post your responses to the Discussion based on the course requirements.

Your Discussion postings should be written in standard edited English and follow APA guidelines as closely as possible given the constraints of the online platform. Be sure to support your work with specific citations from this week’s Learning Resources and additional scholarly sources as appropriate. Initial postings must be 250–350 words (not including references).

Every American presidential administration following the end of World War II has, to some extent, proposed or supported changes to the healthcare system in this country . . . We have not yet arrived at the destination of a more accessible, cost efficient, and high-quality health care system, but that destination is surely worth the difficult journey.

—Jerry Taylor, JD (2014)

The U.S. healthcare delivery system is often described as a kaleidoscope, puzzle, or patchwork quilt to emphasize that healthcare delivery in this country involves multiple, loosely coordinated components, and does not function through one integrated system. The organization of this “system” has a significant impact on the delivery of services. All those who seek to promote positive changes in the healthcare field need to understand how the healthcare industry has been shaped over time and the various factors that influence healthcare delivery today.

In this Discussion, you will analyze some of the most notable pieces of historical legislation relating to the U.S. healthcare delivery system and describe the consequences that are attributed to these changes.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Select one legislative act from the list below:

◦ 1937 Social Security Act

◦ 1946 Hill-Burton Act

◦ 1965 Social Security Amendments (Medicare/Medicaid)

◦ 1973 Health Maintenance Act (Managed Care)

◦ 1983 Introduction of Diagnostic Related Groups (DRGs) by Medicare

◦ 1986 Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA)

◦ 1986 Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)

◦ 1996 Balanced Budget Amendment

◦ 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

◦ 2006 Medicare Part D Drug Benefit

◦ 2006 Massachusetts (Chapter 58) and Vermont (No. 191) legislation to expand health coverage for state residents

◦ 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)

• Review the information about your selected legislation in this week’s Resources, including the timeline developed by Kaiser Foundation and the chapters of the Shi and Singh (2019) course text. You also are encouraged to conduct additional research using resources available in the school Library and on credible websites.

• As you research the legislative act, identify historical events or circumstances that brought about the need for that legislation and examine the positive and/or negative consequences that followed the implementation of the act.

By Day 4

Post a substantive and cohesive response to the following:

• Describe the legislative act you selected.

• Explain the historical events or circumstances that created a need for this legislation and how these events influenced the U.S. healthcare system.

• Provide an analysis of the positive and/or negative consequences that arose following implementation of the act.

Reminder: Be sure to cite your supporting documentation appropriately in correct APA format.

Important Websites/links:

https://www.apha.org/topics-and-issues/health-reform

https://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency-Information/History/index?redirect=/History/

https://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/about-the-aca/index.html