Impact on Elderly of the U.S Health Care System

Abstract

The United States health care system is considered as the best health care systems all over the world. It is of great importance to consider the fact that Americans spend more money on Health care than any other nation. There has been criticism by Americans who believe that after spending so much on Heath care, there still has been a lot of in-efficiency in administrating the United States Health Care System. This article aims to discuss the overall impact created by the elderly on the United States health care system. The benefits brought about and its adverse consequences have been made part of the debate.

Table of Content

Abstract2

Introduction4

Discussion4

Overview of the U.S. Health Care System4

Impact on Elderly of the U.S Health Care System5

Conclusion7

References8

Impact on Elderly of the U.S. Health Care System

Introduction

The American health care system has been a focus of extreme argument. There are some who advocate the fact that the United States Health Care System is one of the best in the world. The arguments put forward by the pro American health care advocates are based on the freely available medical technology and state of the art facilities that are symbolic of the system. At the other end of the line, there are those who criticize the American Health Care. They suggest that the system is fragmented and inefficient. It is their belief that Americans spend much more on their health care than any other nation in the world, but still suffer from immense un-insurance, administrative waste and discriminatory quality. (Nolte .E. & McKee. C. M 2008)

Discussion

Overview of the U.S. Health Care System

United States is ranked 50th across the world, with a life expectancy of 78.49. A study established that between 1997 and 2003, avoidable deaths turn down little by little in the United States than in 18 other urbanized nations. A 2008 study found out that 101,000 of the U.S. populace die in a year that could have been prevented if the health care system be as successful as that of France, Japan, or Australia. The argument about the United States health care apprehensions revolves around access to health care, efficiency and quality of service provided by the huge amounts spent. The World Health Organization in the year 2000 ranked the American health care system first in reaction, but it was ranked 37th when taken as a whole and 72nd according to overall level of service provided.  A survey published in the year 2008 conducted by Harvard School of Public Health in collaboration with Harris Interactive found out that Americans are at odds in their views of the health system. Opinions differ based on political affiliations. (Chua .K. P & Fellow .J. R 2006)

The survey conducted by WHO has been thoroughly condemned by an advocate named David Gratzer. United States has dispersed the ownership of its health care system between private stake owners through state, county, and city governments. The non-profit hospitals providing services to general public share 70 % out of total hospital capacity has remained ...