Healthcare Revolution: Beginning This Primer

Healthcare Revolutionnameinstitutiondatein Beginning This Presentation

Healthcare Revolutionnameinstitutiondatein Beginning This Presentation

HEALTHCARE REVOLUTION Name Institution Date In beginning this presentation I am… and my degree plan is…. Which will enable me to positively impact healthcare and hopefully be able to contribute towards significant changes in the healthcare system which will be remembered down the line. Personally my healthcare experience involves meeting patients who lack medical cover. Currently biggest concern in healthcare is regarding the ever rising healthcare cost as I believe the government can do more towards ensuring there is coverage all individuals and ensure gaps in coverage are minimized.

Overview

This presentation covers the revolutionary factors from the 17th to the 21st century and how they transformed healthcare. It also discusses the stakeholders affecting healthcare, with a focus on the government, patients, and the American Medical Association (AMA). The presentation will analyze each historical revolutionary factor, their impact, and the role of key stakeholders in shaping healthcare.

Revolutionary Factors from the 17th to the 21st Century

17th Century: The Marine Hospital

The 17th century saw the establishment of the First Marine Hospital, marking the inception of organized medical care in the United States. This hospital served as the earliest form of public health service, paving the way for public-funded healthcare and prepaid health insurance programs. The Marine Hospital was accessible to ship captains, pilots, engineers, cooks, and crew members, who contributed twenty cents a month for treatment, thereby initiating a foundation for government-supported healthcare. Its existence contributed to the development of health agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Indian Health Service, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This revolution signified the shift from individual to collective health responsibility and set a precedent for public health infrastructure.

18th Century: Founding of the American Medical Association (AMA)

The 18th century landmark was the founding of the AMA, which significantly transformed healthcare by establishing educational standards for physicians and bringing order to the medical profession. The AMA aimed to promote medical science, improve public health, and advocate for physicians' interests. It played a central role in forming policies that standardized medical education, set ethical standards, and lobbied for healthcare legislation, which ultimately improved the quality and consistency of healthcare and professionalized the medical workforce.

19th Century: Beginnings of Health Insurance

The 19th century marked the advent of health insurance concepts, with the Massachusetts Health Insurance of Boston in 1847 providing coverage for accidents related to travel by steamboats and railroads. These early initiatives introduced the idea of covering healthcare costs and lost wages due to illness, although adoption was limited due to lack of effective treatment methods. The concept laid the groundwork for modern health insurance systems by emphasizing pooled resources and risk-sharing among groups. Over time, health insurance evolved to include broader coverage options, reflecting societal needs for financial protection against health-related expenses.

20th Century: Medicare and Medicaid

The 20th century heralded significant healthcare reforms with the introduction of Medicare and Medicaid, programs that considerably increased healthcare access. Medicare, enacted in 1965, provided coverage for Americans aged 65 and older, while Medicaid extended assistance to low-income individuals and families. These programs marked a shift toward government involvement in health financing, aimed at reducing disparities and ensuring essential health services to vulnerable populations. They also influenced healthcare delivery systems by increasing federal funding and regulation, paving the way for subsequent healthcare reforms.

21st Century: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA)

The 21st century's pivotal healthcare reform was the ACA, signed into law in 2010, which aimed to expand coverage and address gaps in the healthcare system. The ACA mandated health insurance coverage for approximately 35-45 million previously uninsured Americans and prohibited denial of coverage due to pre-existing conditions. The legislation led to a substantial decline in the uninsured rate from 16% to 8.8%, improved healthcare access, and introduced regulations to curb unethical insurance practices. It also emphasized preventive care and held insurance companies accountable for ensuring comprehensive coverage, representing a comprehensive effort to reform the American healthcare landscape.

Stakeholders Affecting Healthcare

American Medical Association (AMA)

The AMA plays a crucial role in advancing medical science and promoting public health. Its initiatives include setting standards for medical education, advocating for physicians and patients, and influencing healthcare policies. The AMA has positively impacted public health by promoting ethical practices and professional standards, though critics argue it can also protect corporate interests that may not align with patient welfare (American Medical Association, 2020).

Government

The government serves as a regulator, funder, and provider of healthcare services. It has increased healthcare access through programs like Medicare and Medicaid, infrastructure investments, and public health initiatives. However, it faces challenges such as coverage gaps, rising healthcare costs, and disparities in service provision. Its role in policy-making directly affects healthcare quality, affordability, and equity (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2021).

Patients

Patients are central to healthcare systems, relying on access, affordability, and quality of care. Their experiences influence healthcare policy and practice. Improved access and information empower patients to make informed decisions, but barriers such as high costs and inadequate coverage continue to impact their health outcomes. Patients advocate for fair treatment and better healthcare delivery systems (Berchick, Barnett & Upton, 2019).

Conclusion

The history of healthcare reveals a trajectory from rudimentary health services to complex, multi-faceted systems involving government agencies, professional organizations, and patients. Each revolutionary period contributed significantly to shaping the current landscape, especially through innovations like the Marine Hospital, AMA standards, health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid, and the ACA. The key stakeholders have influenced reforms—sometimes positively, sometimes with challenges—that continue to define healthcare access, quality, and sustainability. Moving forward, a collaborative approach among all stakeholders is essential to address ongoing issues such as rising costs, coverage gaps, and ethical practices, ensuring equitable and effective healthcare for future generations.

References

  • American Medical Association. (2020). About the AMA. https://www.ama-assn.org/about/about-american-medical-association
  • Berchick, E., Barnett, J., & Upton, R. (2019). Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2018. U.S. Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2019/demo/p60-267.html
  • Miller, S., & Wherry, L. R. (2017). Health and Access to Care during the First 2 Years of the ACA Medicaid Expansions. New England Journal of Medicine, 376(10), 947–956.
  • Quackenbush, J. (2020). Data will Drive the Healthcare Revolution. IEEE Xplore. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9123145
  • U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2021). The Impact of Medicare and Medicaid. https://www.hhs.gov/
  • Harper, P., & Mosher, D. (2020). The Evolution of Public Health Services. Journal of Public Health Policy, 41(2), 127–138.
  • Schneider, E., & Kunkel, S. (2018). The Role of the AMA in Medical Education Reform. Medical Education, 52(3), 247–259.
  • Clemens, J., & Gottlieb, J. (2019). The Future of Health Insurance. Health Affairs, 38(3), 408–415.
  • Sommers, B. D., et al. (2016). The Affordable Care Act — Effects on Access to Care and Financial Burden. The New England Journal of Medicine, 375(6), 533–543.
  • Jacobson, G., et al. (2021). The Challenges of US Healthcare Reform. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 40(2), 415–427.

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