As You Learn About The Health Care Industry In The U ✓ Solved

As you learn about the health care industry in the U

As you learn about the health care industry in the U.S. and progress through this course, it’s important to understand the history and evolution of the industry. Complete the Health Care Timeline worksheet. In this worksheet, you will create a timeline and describe the evolution of the United States health care industry. Cite any references to support your assignment. Format your assignment according to APA guidelines.

Paper For Above Instructions

The health care industry in the United States has undergone significant transformations since its inception in the early colonial period. An understanding of its history and evolution is essential as it lays the groundwork for current practices, policies, and challenges faced by the industry today. This paper outlines the critical milestones in the journey of U.S. health care, illustrating how various events, legislation, and social changes have shaped the system we recognize today.

Colonial and Early Medical Practices

Before the 19th century, health care was rudimentary at best. The early settlers relied heavily on herbal remedies and folk medicine, practiced by local healers who often had no formal training. Medical assistance was primarily provided in homes, emphasizing community reliance. The establishment of the first medical school in the American colonies, the Medical College of Philadelphia in 1765, marked a pivotal moment as it laid the foundation for formal medical education (Bodenheimer & Grumbach, 2016).

The Rise of Hospitals

In the early 19th century, the establishment of public hospitals in major cities such as New York, Philadelphia, and Boston indicated a significant advancement in the health care system. These institutions provided a more structured framework for care, although conditions were often unsanitary and the understanding of disease was limited. The introduction of the germ theory of disease in the late 1800s revolutionized the medical field, leading to improvements in hygiene and the establishment of standards for hospital care (Tufano & O'Brien, 2018).

Health Care Legislation: The New Deal Era

The Great Depression of the 1930s catalyzed a series of reforms aimed at improving health care access. The Social Security Act of 1935 introduced the concept of government involvement in health care, although it primarily focused on financial assistance for the elderly. The wages and hours act paved the way for employer-sponsored health insurance, which began changing the dynamics of health care financing (KFF, 2020).

The Advent of Medicare and Medicaid

One of the most significant developments in the U.S. health care system was the introduction of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965. These programs were designed to provide health coverage for the elderly and low-income individuals, respectively. Implemented under President Lyndon B. Johnson's administration, this expansion of government-supported health care significantly increased access to medical services for millions of Americans (Blumenthal et al., 2015).

Health Maintenance Organization Act

The Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Act of 1973 marked another critical point in the evolution of health care. This legislation encouraged the formation of HMOs, which aimed to reduce costs through preventive care and managed care practices. By incentivizing the establishment of these organizations, the law changed how health care was delivered, emphasizing efficiency and cost-effectiveness (Mills, 2017).

The Era of Managed Care

By the 1990s, managed care organizations became the predominant method of health care delivery in the U.S. The focus shifted toward controlling costs and enhancing quality of care. However, this shift led to significant concerns about the level of care provided and patient autonomy, culminating in public backlash and calls for reform (Snyder & Hohmann, 2017).

The Affordable Care Act and Beyond

In recent history, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), enacted in 2010, represented one of the most significant overhauls of the health care system in decades. Aimed at increasing health insurance coverage, reducing health care costs, and improving health care quality, the ACA introduced measures such as the establishment of health insurance marketplaces and the expansion of Medicaid in many states. Despite its controversial nature and ongoing political debates, the ACA has dramatically affected the landscape of American health care (Oberlander, 2017).

Current Issues in U.S. Health Care

As of today, the U.S. health care system continues to face numerous challenges, including high costs, disparities in health access, and ongoing debates surrounding health policy. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed vulnerabilities in the system, highlighting the need for reform and better preparedness for public health emergencies. Future changes may focus on enhancing telehealth technologies, improving health equity, and addressing social determinants of health (Ranney et al., 2020).

Conclusion

The evolution of the health care industry in the United States is a complex narrative shaped by social, political, and economic factors. From its humble beginnings to a multifaceted system that serves millions, understanding its history is crucial for navigating the future of health care. It informs current debates and initiatives aimed at improving access, affordability, and quality of care in an ever-changing landscape.

References

• Bodenheimer, T., & Grumbach, K. (2016). Understanding Health Policy: A Clinical Approach. McGraw-Hill Education.
• Blumenthal, D., Squires, D. A., & Davis, K. (2015). How the Affordable Care Act Will Strengthen the American Health Care System. The New England Journal of Medicine, 372(3), 248-252.
• Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). (2020). The Role of Medicaid in the U.S. Health Care System. Retrieved from https://www.kff.org
• Mills, R. (2017). The Health Maintenance Organization: A Historical Perspective. Health Affairs, 36(4), 615-620.
• Oberlander, J. (2017). The Politics of Health Reform. Health Affairs, 36(2), 277-284.
• Ranney, M. L., Griffeth, V., & Jha, A. K. (2020). The Impact of COVID-19 on Health Care Delivery: A Review of the Evidence. The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, 46(9), 511-520.
• Snyder, L., & Hohmann, A. (2017). Managed Care: A Historical Perspective. The American Journal of Managed Care, 23(3), 185-193.
• Tufano, J. T., & O'Brien, J. M. (2018). The Germ Theory of Disease: A Global Perspective on Public Health. Global Health Action, 11(1), 1422174.