3 Parts

RESPOND WITH 50 WORDS MINIMUM!! USE REFERENCES FOR EACH RESPONSE. THESE RESPONSES ARE BASED OFF PART 2 YOU COMPLETED THURSDAY.

R1

Although the federal health care policy has focused on market solution and competition to improve quality, access, and reduce cost, I do not think the economic policy has been helpful. Although a policy was created and passed, it is unrealistic to achieve quality, access, and reduce cost at the same time. In order for a policy to be effective, there needs to be specific purpose. Creating a federal health care policy did create access for more individuals to have coverage to reduce their cost for health care, however, there is a result to this which includes the cost of healthcare increasing. In the healthcare world, it has become extremely competitive. Not only do healthcare organization want to have a strong bottom line financially, they also wants to be the top 10 for quality and other competitive metrics. In the end, the federal health care policy made it possible for individuals to receive health care, but with limitations. There is still room for improvement, however, this policy can be adjusted or removed with the changes in politics. 

R2

While contemplating the focus of federal health policies for the past 40 years, I was reading Bending the Cost Growth Curve and Expanding Coverage: Lessons from Germany's all-payer system A Tribute to Uwe Reinhardt. To summarize, the article Germany has a health system run by a third party that is tightly regulated. The pricing for services and procedures are regulated through committees with representatives for both payers and providers and are set regionally. The German government has a small role in the financing and delivery of healthcare. There is a set contribution to the healthcare fund of 14.6 % of gross annual. Reinhardt argued that adopting a similar all-payer system would be an improvement to the current system by reducing costs related to the complex administrative system, constrain growth so health care costs do not out pace economic growth, and remove the socioeconomic status of the patient. (Cheng, 2020).

The all-payer system is certainty interesting and accomplishes the goals of improving quality and access while reducing costs. Reducing administrative costs and eliminating hospital mergers and acquisitions is one way that the all-payer system reduced costs. Cheng (2020) shows that Germany's system has a higher capacity and healthcare utilization than the United States.

Although the US federal policy is aimed at increasing competition in the healthcare industry, it seems as though the goal is not being accomplished by the current strategies. The FTC enforces healthcare regulations aimed at preventing anticompetitive behavior that would result in higher quality and decreased costs (Federal Trade Commission, n.d.) Additionally, the FTC advocates for a competitive market by engaging and advising federal and state governmental entities (Federal Trade Commission, n.d.). Although there is a lot of work done by the FTC and other government entities, it seems as though the current healthcare system adopted by the United States is not conducive to reducing the economic impact to healthcare consumers. Americans are receiving less care for more money than their German peers (Cheng 2020).

The Affordable Care Act has increased access through expanded Medicaid and implementing the Affordable Insurance Exchange. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). The ACA has also implemented policy that guarantees access to health insurance to those with preexisting conditions and offering preventative care (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.).

These are positive steps in improving access and quality, but there is still a need for improvement. Group, what other recommendations would you make to the Federal Government to improve quality and access to care?

References:

Cheng, Tsung-Mei (2020, June). Bending the Cost Growth Curve and Expanding Coverage: Lessons from Germany's All‐Payer System A Tribute to Uwe Reinhardt. Milbank Quarterly, 98(2), 279-296. 10.1111/1468-0009.12453

Federal Trade Commission. (n.d.). Competition in the Health Care Marketplace. https://www.ftc.gov/advice-guidance/competition-guidance/industry-guidance/competition-health-care-marketplace

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Access to Healthcare: Affordable Care Act. https://www.hhs.gov/programs/topic-sites/lgbtqi/accesstohealthcare/affordablecareact/index.html#:~:text=The%20Affordable%20Care%20Act%20will,for%20quality%2C%20affordable%20health%20insurance.