Medicare and Healthcare System in United States

Abstract

America spends more money than any other country on healthcare issues; still the health of people living in America needs to be addressed. The healthcare system in United States is highly vulnerable to rising medical care costs. The government should take serious measures to take against the low quality of healthcare and uninsured citizens. The uninsured American citizens are posing a serious threat to US economy. The enhanced access of people to good health conditions is the need of hour.

Introduction1

Discussion3

Health care services in America3

Defined Health Policy Plan4

“Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act”5

Provision of Primary Care6

Medical Homes "which are Patient-Centered"6

Medicare and Medicaid Innovation Center7

Enhanced Access to Healthcare Services7

Components of Access to Health Services8

Coverage OF Health Services8

Services of Healthy Care8

Timeliness of Healthcare Services9

Workforce of Healthcare System9

Reducing the cost of Medicare9

Empower Medicare9

Allow Drug Re-importation10

Globalization in Medicare10

Increasing Amount of Healthcare Budget10

Barriers in Access to Healthcare11

Conclusion11

References13

Medicare and Healthcare System in United States

Introduction

The healthcare system of U.S is always a subject under discussion. There are some people who argue that the healthcare system of America is of the best quality while other people are of the view that there are a large number of uninsured people in America; due to this reason America spends a lot of money on healthcare as compared to other countries. But still there is a lot of inefficiency. To understand the difference between these two points needs a lot of consideration.

Both private and public insurance systems are present in U.S healthcare system. But the exceptional case in the healthcare system of U.S is that the private system is dominant over the public system. In 2003, about 18% people were uninsured, 15% with Medicaid public insurance plan ensures 15% of people, and private sponsorship programs sponsors 62% adult (Longest, 2010).

Medicare Programs basically federal programs that provides medical aid to senior citizens more than age of 65, and also disable persons. In the “Medicare program”, there is a single payer, the government that performs the insurance function of reimbursement. Federal income taxes, payroll taxes are financing elements of Medicare on a regular basis. The benefits of Medicare are divided into four parts, part A provides hospital services, part B provides physician services part C covers the benefits of HMO's and part D deals with the benefits of drugs(hpm.org).

Medicaid Programs helps the low income and disabled people and provides them medical assistance. According to The federal law states or countries must provide coverage for the pregnant women, poor people, children, and disabled people. Medicare does not cover Parents without children. The states and the District of Columbia administer the responsibility of Medicaid services. The states operate about fifty one different Medicaid programs in the country. The states and federal governments jointly provide finance to the Medicaid programs. The government pays overall 57% of Medicaid costs. Medicaid provides an inclusive set of benefits. These benefits include prescription drugs (hpm.org).

2006 records estimate 46.6 million Americans living without health insurance. Many people did not qualify for ...