Reflection 8

Chapter 8 discusses the strengths and problems of the health care system featured in the United States. The health care system is made up of many attributes that are beneficial but also have flaws at times. Three of the biggest systems that make up the United State’s health care system are Medicare and Medicaid and private health insurance. Medicare is, “amounts to national health insurance for selected groups, elderly and disabled who are eligible for Social Security, as well as persons who are medially dependent upon expensive renal dialysis treatments for survival as a result of end-stage renal disease that is financed from employee payroll taxes” (Cowles, p.319). Medicaid is just the opposite and is mostly for children or adults who need the extra help. It is a government program which is financed by the state. Along with these a private health insurance is the insurance supplied by an employer to their worker. Although these three systems help out so many and are great programs, they do not “fit” together or cover every person with insurance. The costs of these programs vary. Every year it is mostly changed and depends on the type of insurance that is provided and how much it is put to use. Controlling health care costs is a big goal for the United States and is why a reform has been put to place. “Managed care has emerged in the United States as one method to control health care costs…” (Cowles, p.332). Managed care is a cluster of health service systems who try to control the costs throughout the health care system. In my opinion, the United States has good intentions on health care systems, but it seems like there is always more problems and confusing with ours than needed to be. I feel like new trends need to be added.

Resource:

Cowles, L. A. F. (Ed.). (2003). Social work in the health field: A care perspective. (2nd ed.) Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Press.