Uninsured: A Case Study

Prior to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), over 47 million non-elderly (>65) Americans were uninsured (KFF, 2013). Since the ACA was implemented researchers found 32 million still remained uninsured (KFF, 2015). Why are so many still without insurance? Researchers have found that this population mostly consists of low-income, working families (KFF, 2015). In other words, those who are working hard to make ends meet, but cannot afford insurance premiums.
The consequence of going uninsured is detrimental to one’s well-being, as the chances of developing diseases increases and the likelihood of receiving needed medical services decreases (Patel, Rushefsky, 2014, p. 209). This is evident with the story of Nikki and her battle with Lupus (Reid, 2009).
Yet, we rank mediocrely in quality of care (CW, 2014). The Institution of Medicine (IOM) defines quality “as the degree to which health services for individuals and populations increase the likelihood of desired health outcomes and are consistent with professional knowledge” (NCBI, 2008). This includes categories, such as effective, safe, coordinated, and patient-centered care (CW, ). With this knowledge I would have to disagree with Reid (2009) when he stated baby Reese’s survival “is a testament to the quality of American health care.” Instead, I believe is it a testament of the outcomes that could be achieved if one is insured — as Mark Murray’s employer covered all costs associated with Reese (Reid, 2009). And since there are still over 30 million without insurance and EDs are failing to provide quality treatment for them, I agree with the Advisory Committee’s report that payments to physicians should “promote quality health care and improved health and functional status for all patients, including vulnerable populations” (PACC,