Health Care Delivery Systems Analysis
John Dirwayi Excelsior College Dr.L. Purnell NUR531
ABSTRACT
The United States is a world leader in sophisticated health care technology, medical training and is home to world renowned research institutions like the Harvard Medical School, and the Mayo Clinic. The huge investment in health care has not translated into superior quality health care delivery for the American citizens. Approximately 50 million American citizens are uninsured, and consequently have no access to routine primary health care. Americans may find the Swiss health care system of special interest. Switzerland is a capitalist country just like the U.S and has a highly developed pharmaceutical industry and yet it guarantees its citizen universal coverage with superior outcomes and great satisfaction. As the U.S. policy makers are debating an appropriate health care model for its future, they may find the Swiss health care system of special interest.
Underpinning of Healthcare Delivery Systems
Data from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA-The World Fact book, 2011), reveal that “the United States has the most technologically powerful economy in the world” and that the U.S is “market-oriented, private individuals and business firms make most of the decisions in the economy”. The U.S. health care delivery system reflects the ideology of free enterprise espoused by American citizens. Health care is viewed and regarded “as an economic good and not as a public resource” (Shi & Singh, 2008). The passing of the landmark Health Care Reform Bill into law by President Obama in March 2010 was a watershed in American health care history. The bill will ensure that 32 million more American citizens will have insurance coverage
References: CIA: The World Factbook (2011). Retrieved February 16, 2011 from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/ Congressional Budget Office (2010) Retrieved February 16, 2011 from. Kieke, G. H. (2010) Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis: Research and Practice,Volume 12, I ssue 1 & 2 February 2010, pages 75-113 Leu RE et tal . (2009). The Swiss and Dutch Health Insurance Systems: Universal Coverage and Regulated Competitive Markets OECD Health Data 2010: Statistics and Indicators. Retrieved February 16, 2011 from http://www.oecd.org/document/30/0,3343,en_2649_34631_12968734_1_1_1_37407,00.html Shi, L. & Singh, D.A. (2008). Delivering health care in America: a systems approach. (4th. ed.) Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Uwe, E.R. (2007).The Swiss Health System: Regulated Competition Without Managed Care. JAMA, 292 (9), 1227-1231