The healthcare delivery system in the United States is influenced by various cultural, social, political and economic factors. As a result, the healthcare system is undergoing consistent renovations to improve delivery and meet the needs of the stakeholders. However, describing the health care delivery system in the US is a challenging task due to the structural and conceptual factors surrounding it. The mechanisms of the health care delivery system in the US are influenced by different economic and political factors that determine how health services are administered.
The four primary components of health care delivery systems include financing, insurance, and payment. The role of each of these components is intertwined and overlap each other as they facilitate the delivery of health care services to patients. The extent of overlapping of these four basic functional components of the US health delivery system depends on the system involved whether it is under a private entity or government control, and between traditional health insurance and managed-care based system (Brown and Sparer, 2018). Thus, financing is imperative for an individual to obtain health insurance or access health care services whereas insurance determines the health care services that an insured person is entitled to obtain. Delivery of health care allows people to access health services covered by their respective health insurance plans. Payments approaches enable the health care providers to receive payment for the services they offer to the insured.
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Even though the existence of both private and public insurance covers a substantial population, the US citizens lack health insurance coverage – because the insurance is provided voluntarily by employers as part of the employees' benefits. Certain employers, particularly small business owners do not have the financial capability to provide each of their employers with health insurance coverage. Furthermore, the unemployed population cannot benefit from employer-sponsored health care insurance programs. On the contrary, individuals that have recently parted from their employment are entitled to receive one-year coverage at a group rate from their previous employer. However, they are expected to pay for their premium which they cannot afford. Moreover, low-wage employees cannot afford these premium rates even though they are subsidized.
On the other hand, to be included in public programs such as Medicaid and Medicare requires an individual to meet specific criteria. Medicaid eligibility is measured according to a person's income and asset whereas Medicare is designed for certain disabled people and the elderly. Thus, the prices of health care in the US continue to increase making it challenging for all the population to be included. This is similar in France where medical care is expensive and insufficient resources in the health care system are contributing to strikes and demonstrations by health care workers (Moore, 2013). In both countries the costs of health care and application of modern technologies are rising faster than the inflation rates – thus, forcing a large number of citizens in these nations to lack medical insurance.
Conclusion
It is vital for all citizens in America to have health insurance coverage. This will ensure that all citizens regardless of their demographic they can access quality health care services that meet their needs. Furthermore, this will promote equity and equality in the health care sector while advocating for improved health among beneficiaries through accessibility. Thus, the government should make it possible for individuals to receive medical care in both public and private health facilities.
References
Brown, L. & Sparer, M. (2018). Introduction: The “Underperforming” US Health Care System: Revisiting the Conventional Wisdom. J Health Polit Policy Law; 43 (5): 731-738. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1215/03616878-6951091
Moore, L. (2013). "A Comparison of the Role of the Employer in the French and U.S. Health Care Systems," Hofstra Labor and Employment Law Journal: 30 : Iss. 2, Article 8. Retrieved from: http://scholarlycommons.law.hofstra.edu/hlelj/vol30/iss2/8
