The government plays many vital roles in healthcare and the impact it has is tremendous. The
government plays a role in areas such as policy making, enforcing regulations, providing funding,
making healthcare accessible as well as promote the welfare of the population. Individual
healthcare organizations all have a mission in which they intend to direct their organizations, it is
usually a statement that shows the fundamental reason the organization exists. The government
plays a role in this because although each organization has its own mission the government is what
holds organizations accountable to these standards. Another vital part of healthcare and
healthcare systems is health insurance and its impact on healthcare delivery. Health insurance
improves quality of care as well as access to care. Health insurance ultimately determines whether
people can get the necessary medical care they need. Insurance also determines things such as
when and where they get care and how they get medical care as well. Health insurance can also be
dependent on income, location, age, and preexisting conditions and these types of things can
determine the insurance you can receive and ultimately the care that is delivered to a person.
There are probably many ways we could reduce the number of uninsured people while maximizing
quality and access and minimal costs but healthcare in its entirety is complex and delicate so
coming to that would be challenging. One big way we have already improved the numbers of
uninsured people and will continue to improve numbers is with Medicaid and making the
enrolment process easier but creating less enrolment barriers. When we limit the barriers, people
face when enrolling it increases the likelihood that people would enrol and receive access to care
and benefits.
The Governments role in healthcare is to regulate the healthcare system for everyone’s safety
(Smith, 2003). e For example, many hospitals are inspected by the state department of public
health, and if the state feels like any institution is unfit, they will shut that organization down. e I
work in the lab, and the state does a rigorous inspection every two years. e If they find anything
they feel is not standard practice, they cite us and return as needed. e I know of a cytology
department that got shut down by the state because of a significant error. It has been four years,
and the cytology department has yet to get re- licensed.
Health insurance has a significant impact on healthcare. e It determines what type of care a person
will receive. e According to the American Hospital Association, patients with health insurance are
more likely to be diagnosed early and may also have improved health outcomes. e Compared to
those with insurance, they may not have a favourable outcome. e Insurance is excellent, but private
insurance that covers more things is even better. e I know from experience that kids with private
insurance get a different vaccine than kids with state insurance. e I believe everyone should get the
same treatment no matter what kind of insurance they may have.
Besides having universal health care, one way to reduce the number of uninsured is by having
employers pay a more significant portion for their employees. e Having this option can help many
individuals.
References
Institute of Medicine, Committee on Enhancing Federal Healthcare Quality Programs, Barbara M.
Smith, Jill Eden, & Janet M. Corrigan. (2003). Leadership by Example: Coordinating Government
Roles in Improving Health Care Quality. National Academies Press.
American Hospital Association. e Report: The Importance of Health Coverage.
https://www.aha.org/guidesreports/report-importance-health-
coverage#:~:text=Impact%20of%20Coverage&text=Studies%20confirm%20that%20coverage%20imp
roves,on%20individuals%2C%20families%20and%20communities.
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