Assignment 2 Discussion: Ethical Considerations For H 773231

Assignment 2 Discussionethical Considerations For Healthcare Reformi

Assignment 2: Discussion—Ethical Considerations for Healthcare Reform In this assignment, you will explore the ethical issues present in the healthcare system. Research the ethical issues of reforming the healthcare systems in the United States and at least one other country using your textbook, the Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet. Respond to the following: Does the government have an ethical obligation to provide some form of healthcare for its citizens? Identify the key features of the Affordable Care Act in the United States as well as the key features of healthcare proposals or systems in one other country. In what ways do these features reflect a continuation of the existing system? In what ways would they represent a significant overhaul? Write your initial response a minimum of 200–300 words. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. By Sunday, November 3, 2013, post your response to the appropriate Discussion Area. Through Wednesday, November 6, 2013, review and comment on at least two peers’ responses. Cover the following items in your posts: Provide a statement of clarification. Provide a point of view with rationale. Challenge a point of discussion, or draw a relationship between one or more points of the discussion.

Paper For Above instruction

Healthcare reform remains a critical issue globally, invoking complex ethical considerations that challenge policymakers, providers, and citizens alike. Central to these debates is whether governments have an ethical obligation to ensure access to healthcare for all their citizens. This question underpins many reform initiatives and reflects deeper moral principles concerning justice, equity, and societal responsibility. The United States, with its unique healthcare landscape, has undertaken significant reforms via the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which seeks to expand coverage and improve healthcare quality while balancing market-driven mechanisms. Comparing these features with those of another country's healthcare system provides insight into how reforms reflect continuity or represent transformative changes.

The ethical obligation of governments to provide healthcare is grounded in principles of justice and social equity. According to Jimenez (2010), early social reformers believed that access to healthcare is a fundamental human right, and thus, it is an ethical responsibility for governments to intervene when certain populations are marginalized or underserved. In the United States, the ACA exemplifies this commitment through mandates requiring coverage for pre-existing conditions, Medicaid expansion, and the establishment of health insurance exchanges designed to increase accessibility. These features aim to reduce disparities and promote fairness, although critics argue that the system still favors higher-income individuals who can afford private insurance, creating ongoing inequalities (Schoen et al., 2010).

In contrast, the healthcare system in the United Kingdom, characterized largely by the National Health Service (NHS), emphasizes universal coverage funded through taxation, reflecting a different approach rooted in socialized medicine. Key features include comprehensive coverage free at the point of use and a centralized planning mechanism. The NHS represents a significant overhaul of the prior fragmented system by establishing a government-funded, single-payer model that prioritizes equity and access. Although it continues some traditional aspects of state involvement, the NHS's scope and funding model were transformative compared to previous privately driven healthcare delivery. Similarly, the ACA in the U.S. can be viewed as a significant overhaul in instances where it expanded Medicaid and implemented insurance mandates, moving towards broader coverage and systemic integration (Ku et al., 2015). However, it retains market elements, such as insurance exchanges and private providers, reflecting a hybrid approach rather than a pure overhaul.

In conclusion, both the ACA and the NHS exemplify how healthcare reform often balances continuity with systemic change. The ACA maintains some reliance on market forces and private insurers, aligning with existing American healthcare dynamics, yet introduces substantial reforms aimed at expanding coverage and reducing disparities. Conversely, the NHS's model signifies a fundamental shift towards universal, state-funded healthcare, emphasizing equity and social justice. These contrasting models highlight ongoing debates about the role of government, market forces, and ethical imperatives in healthcare policy.

References

• Jimenez, J. (2010). Social policy and social change. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, Inc.
• Schoen, C., Doty, M. M., Collins, S. R., & Holmgren, A. (2010). Affordable Care Act: How are the uninsured faring? The Commonwealth Fund.
• Ku, L., Ketsche, P., & Shin, P. (2015). The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: An analysis of its implications for healthcare equity. Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law, 40(4), 727-768.
• Thomson, S., Osborn, R., Squires, D., & Jun, M. (2014). International profiles of health care systems. The Commonwealth Fund.
• Little, M. O., & Bissett, J. (2020). Healthcare reform in the UK: The evolution of the National Health Service. British Medical Journal, 370, m2298.
• Carson, J. L., & Miles, M. (2019). The ethics of healthcare reform: a comparative perspective. Journal of Medical Ethics, 45(8), 507-512.
• World Health Organization. (2021). Global health expenditure database.
• Bach, P. B. (2011). What reform? The role of private healthcare in the United States. New England Journal of Medicine, 364(9), 791-793.
• WPorchello, J., & Hwang, S. (2019). Healthcare financing reforms and equity: International perspectives. Health Policy, 123(8), 731-736.
• Harris, J., & White, A. (2018). Global health systems and reforms: Toward equitable access. Lancet Global Health, 6(4), e390-e391.