Healthcare Questions

1. In your opinion, how are politics and policy linked within the context of the U.S. healthcare system?

2. In your opinion, what health programs target the three major components of a national health policy: structural determinants of good health, lifestyle determinants, and socializing and empowering determinants?

3. Discuss the impact of the pharmaceutical industry spending $6.1 billion in 2010 to influence American doctors and another $4 billion on direct-to-consumer advertising. Are there any benefits to industry advertising to the public or is it entirely negative?

4. Debate the possible consequences to the health care delivery system of adding 50 million new enrollees. How would this policy impact medical practices, clinics, hospitals and outpatient diagnostic centers?

5. In your opinion, why has the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - a.k.a. "Obama Care” become so political?

6. Do you believe most Americans understand how the Medicare/Medicaid programs operate?  If not, why not