Health Reform Summary

Chapter 10 starts off in identifying the complexity involved in carrying out a general health reform in the United States. It discusses the multiple failed attempts at national health reform over the last century. The factors which our textbook lists as barriers to social reform include “the country’s culture, the nature of U.S. political institutions, the power of interest groups, and path dependency” (Teitelbaum & Wilensky, 2017, p. 170). It then evaluates how health reform was enacted in 2010. The statement that caught my attention this week was reference to how “a ‘critical moment’ appeared, and President Obama took advantage of the circumstances to push through the health reform bill. Although path dependency suggests that inertia

These are all health insurance products which “help serve society’s low-income, elderly, and disabled populations” (Teitelbaum & Wilensky, 2017, P. 199). All three of these programs are very complex as the role and structure they possess varies significantly. Health insurance programs are always changing, and I must admit that it is hard to keep up with all the changes. The one program which I think patients have the most issues understanding is Medicare, especially when it comes to Medicare Advantage plans. Medicare Advantage plans “cover all Part A and B services and many offer additional services such as eyeglasses, hearing exams, and gym memberships as an inducement to enroll” (Teitelbaum & Wilensky, 2017, P. 222). Some patients do not comprehend that if they opt for a Medicare Advantage plan, then they no longer have traditional Medicare coverage. They have a hard time understanding the premiums and copayments involved in their care. As current or future providers of healthcare services, we must strive to become knowledgeable in this arena not only for our own sake, but also for the sake of our patients as the changes will continue throughout