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U.S. Healthcare System
Introduction
The health care system in America is a contentious issue that realizes positive and negative outcomes. Several factors have to come into perspective if the program aims to accomplish the intended goal of affordable and quality patient care. The Affordable Care Act’s mandate, popularly known as the Obama Care, sought to provide a solution to access to hospital services. The Act aims to provide quality, affordable, and efficient care through Medicaid and Medicare insurance (National Conference of State Legislatures). Over the years since its inception, more people have received medical care than in the years before enacting the legislation. It is important to note that despite the improved service access, the industry still suffers challenges.
Challenges Facing the Sector
Policy Changes
The health care system is a fundamental point of focus in the country, which means that pharmaceutical companies, scientific and biological research programs, medical professionals and insurance providers are involved in the policymaking process. Politics play a significant role in policymaking as health is a campaign topic highly contested by political candidates. The result is a lack of long term solution due to a legislature that is in use for a limited period.
Medical Professionals Shortage
There is a shortage of doctors and nurses compared to the population that requires hospital services and results in service delivery not implemented at the envisioned level. Efficiency becomes a challenge since medical staff handles more than is expected, compromising effectiveness and quality. The older population requires medical attention more than previously anticipated due to an increased life expectancy rate. It means that services geared towards chronic illnesses, which are the point of concern for the elderly, are not adequately provided.
Opioids Challenge
The use of opioids in the U.S. has reached astronomical levels over the years as more people abuse prescription drugs such as painkillers. The carnage results in higher death numbers due to substance abuse. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, over one hundred people die daily due to the problem (Ohio University).
Possible Solutions
The country lacks an umbrella medical care system, unlike other developed nations (“The U.S. Health Care System: An International Perspective — Department For Professional Employees, AFL-CIO”). Having a universal plan may solve some of the issues. Creating awareness on the subject of opioid abuse is necessary for reducing health-related deaths resulting from drug side effects. The increased information sharing should not only be channeled to the public but medical individuals as well. As more people become aware of the problem, more attention and solutions will follow, ultimately reducing opioid addict numbers. As inferred, the older population needs health care to deal with chronic illnesses common to advanced ages. It means that more medical staff requires training in readiness to deal with lifelong medical issues. Homecare programs should not only be in use, but the necessary hospital attention is essential as well. Selfishness sometimes leads to policy changes as the various stakeholders involved look out for gains. Focusing on the well being of the public and separating politics at government and private entity level from health care issues would go a long way in establishing long term results.
Conclusion
It is important to note that collaboration is crucial if the sector is to realize its mandate. Though the system has challenges it is possible to mitigate the problems through goodwill and teamwork from all the partners involved. Advances in technology and research are essential to the success of effective, efficient and quality patient care. Positive outcomes are therefore possible with a patient centered approach. The ACA and other health legislatures are instrumental in achieving better medical perspectives.
Works Cited
National Conference of State Legislatures. “The Affordable Care Act: A Brief
Summary”. Ncsl.Org, 2010, https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/the-affordable-care-act-brief-summary.aspx.
Ohio University. “Major Problems In The U.S. Healthcare System: Can They Be Fixed”. Ohio
University, https://onlinemasters.ohio.edu/blog/us-healthcare-system-problems/. Accessed 4 June 2020.
“The U.S. Health Care System: An International Perspective — Department For Professional
Employees, AFL-CIO”. Department For Professional Employees, AFL-CIO, 2016, https://www.dpeaflcio.org/factsheets/the-us-health-care-system-an-international-perspective.