what do you consider to be one of the most important issues to address?
Please answer each question separately.
#1. Considering the current healthcare environment as it relates to legislation and policy, what do you consider to be one of the most important issues to address? Examples include the high cost of healthcare, uninsured individuals, and technology advancements in healthcare. What obstacles need to be overcome in order to address this issue? (2 paragraphs)
#2. In 1 paragraph respond to the statement below, discuss the role that government agencies must play in order to overcome the obstacles and address the issues identified.
I believe that technology advancements in healthcare are the most important issues that need addressed. Technology causes a lot of ripples in healthcare that effect other areas. To be blunt, technology is expensive and someone has to pay for it. I think that new technology has its place in healthcare, and many technologies carry far more positives than negatives. That said, some technology fails to live up to expectations and overpromises and under delivers. I will use the example of robotic total joint replacements as I am familiar with this technology. The promise is smaller incision (less invasive), shorter and easier recovery, less chance of infection, and better results. This is amazing technology, but this surgery still involves removal of bone and implanting of a foreign material into the joint space. Shorter and easier recovery, possibly, but recovery is generally patient specific. Less invasive, maybe, but does a 2 inch smaller scare really matter to the majority of patients? Better results, doubtful, still the same basic procedure with the added accuracy of a mechanical device. More expensive for the hospital, patient, and insurance company? Yes. I am not denying technology and the advancements we have witnessed, I am just saying the positives and negatives need weighed before some forms of technology are utilized and potentially increasing healthcare costs.
#3. In 1 paragraph respond to the statement below, discuss the role that government agencies must play in order to overcome the obstacles and address the issues identified.
Two of the most important roles that government should take in health policy is making it possible for everyone to not only have health coverage, but also have access to health care facilities and providers. Programs like the ACA has made it easier to get health insurance but the price of the actual care, copay and deductibles makes getting the the care that’s needed close to impossible. The money that we as a country spends to create new machines and technology to diagnose a problem should be spent on creating programs and educational tools to push the people towards healthier living, Money should also be invested in building healthcare facilities, in areas where the people can get to them, equipped with doctors, dentists and health care counselors the educate the people on preventive measures before chronic illnesses sets in.
