Healthcare Reforms: Advantages and Disadvantages

Healthcare Reforms: Advantages and Disadvantages

Introduction

The objective of this research paper is to argue the advantages and disadvantages of healthcare reforms. The need for discussing and historical background of this topic is also briefly explained in the paper. Further, the paper provides exploration and analysis of the facts associated with the advantages and disadvantages of healthcare reforms. The analysis is supported by current and relevant information and also, its relevance to advance nursing practices. The paper also discusses about the making of a suitable healthcare policy. It also highlights the importance of effective communication in the healthcare and nursing.

Discussion

Healthcare Reforms

Several changes in healthcare reforms including the better integration of healthcare in offices and the immense importance given to health as well as the various researches being conducted for the same have been a common improvement in healthcare in the past decade. These major changes in health policies and creation of new health policies are included in the study of healthcare reforms (Cannon, Hope & Roseann, 2009). Also, many changes in government policies regarding the way healthc are reforms are formed and implemented to the general public including the delivery of healthcare services across the country, are also of significant importance in discussing healthcare reforms (UNICEF, WHO, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNDP, UNAIDS, WFP and the World Bank, 2010). The advantages associated with studying healthcare reforms are broadening the public and private sector insurance programs in order to reach more people that require health care services, improving the access to healthcare professionals, improving the quality of healthcare services and reducing the cost of healthcare facilities (Akbulut, 2010). The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, an agency under the United States Department of Health and Human Services, is tasked to oversee the administration of the Medicare program. Medicare, from its institution in 1965, has been of good use to a lot of Americans (Noah, 2007). However, with the rising costs of health care and the growing number of senior Americans, concerns on whether or not Medicare can still cover the health care costs of all have risen (Kuhlmann, 2006).

The healthcare system of the United States of America is considered as the most expensive system in the world. Healthcare reforms associated to the wellbeing of the people of America are an important part of checkups (Page, 2012). Healthcare organizations are considered as one of the most crucial health interventions bodies of the twentieth century (Shortell & Casalino, 2008). Therefore, to gain advantages of healthcare reform, a country must need to spend on improving quality of the medical treatment (Akbulut, 2010).

Need for Discussion

The need for discussing healthcare reforms arises as most of the public and private sector insurance companies started charging high premiums for healthcare services. The health care system in the U.S. has been greatly shaped and affected by Medicaid and Medicare reforms of 1965. Since then, health care expenditures have risen dramatically and have grown faster than the economy (Young, 2002). The Social Security Administration (SSA) remains the most important source ...