Identify And Select A Health Problem In US Health Car 363757

Identify And Select A Health Problem In The Us Health Care Sector From

Identify and select a health problem in the US Health Care sector from the list below. Prepare a summary document using the required table format shown below. The table should be single spaced and a maximum of three (3) pages. Also include a cover page and a reference page in APA Format (these do not count toward the page limit). Reference the bolded formatting instructions in the Class Guidelines area of the syllabus.

The topics is as follows Disadvantaged children often do not have health insurance and do not receive the preventive care (such as vaccines and well-baby check-ups) that can help avoid long-term health problems.

Health Problem:

Describe and provide details about the health problem. Indicate in detail who is most impacted by this health problem. This section must include how the problem impacts patients, health care providers and/or professionals, health organizations, and government. Note the human and financial costs. Use in-text citations for all statistical references.

Healthy People 2020

Summarize the health problem as recognized by Healthy People 2020. Note how the health problem you identified fits within the Healthy People 2020 framework. Use in-text citations as needed. If the issue is not identified in Healthy People 2020, research and assess if another governmental document identifies and describes the problem. If yes, indicate the source.

Hypothesize about why this specific societal health problem might have been excluded from Healthy People 2020.

Official Title and Citation of the Legislation: Indicate the government’s response to the health problem you selected. Select one piece of legislation. In this section, include the title, bill number or citation from the statute. Status: As of the date of submission, what is the status of the legislation in the health policy cycle?

Analysis of the public policy response

Describe the scope of the legislation and the anticipated impact.

Conclusion

In your opinion, does the health policy adequately addresses the health problem you identified? Why or why not?

Resources for Updates

What resource would a health organization use to check for updates on this policy or legislation?

Paper For Above instruction

Disadvantaged children in the United States frequently lack access to essential health insurance coverage, resulting in reduced participation in preventive health measures like vaccinations and well-baby check-ups. This gap in healthcare access significantly impacts the long-term health outcomes of these children, as early prevention is critical in pediatric health. The absence of routine preventive care leads to increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, developmental delays, and chronic health conditions that manifest later in life. Moreover, this issue imposes a substantial human and financial burden on patients, families, healthcare providers, organizations, and the government.

The most impacted demographic includes low-income children and those from ethnic and racial minorities who experience barriers to health coverage due to socioeconomic factors, lack of awareness, and structural inequities. Without insurance, these children are less likely to receive immunizations, screening tests, and health education, increasing emergency room visits and hospitalization rates (Gordon et al., 2020). Healthcare providers face challenges in managing preventable illnesses, often operating with limited resources to serve uninsured populations. Health organizations and public health agencies strive to reduce disparities but are hindered by funding constraints and policy limitations. On a macro level, the government bears the financial costs of treating preventable diseases and managing emergency interventions that could have been avoided with proper preventive care.

Healthy People 2020 recognizes the importance of increasing access to quality health services for children, emphasizing preventive measures and health promotion. The initiative's overarching goal is to improve the health of all children by reducing disparities and ensuring equitable access to necessary services (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2010). In particular, Healthy People 2020 highlights objectives related to increasing the proportion of children who have health insurance and receive routine preventive care. This aligns well with the identified problem, as improving coverage and preventive services for disadvantaged children directly addresses the root causes of health disparities.

It is conceivable that certain societal health issues, such as systemic inequities affecting disadvantaged children, may have been indirectly acknowledged in broader health disparities objectives but were not explicitly prioritized in the specific targets of Healthy People 2020. The reasons could include political and resource constraints or a deliberate focus on broader population health issues over vulnerable subgroups.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), enacted in 2010, represents the primary legislative response to increasing insurance coverage among children, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The ACA expanded Medicaid eligibility, established health insurance marketplaces, and mandated coverage of preventive services without copayments, directly targeting the barriers faced by uninsured children (The White House, 2010). As of the latest updates, the legislation remains in effect, with ongoing debates about its future and potential modifications, placing it within the implementation and evaluation phases of the health policy cycle.

This legislation has significantly expanded coverage and access, leading to increased immunization rates and routine screenings among children. Its scope extends to promoting health equity through federal funding and policy mandates, ultimately aiming to reduce disparities and prevent long-term health problems among vulnerable pediatric populations (Cohen & Martinez, 2018). Nonetheless, gaps remain, particularly in states that did not expand Medicaid, highlighting the need for continued policy evolution and targeted interventions.

In my opinion, while the ACA has made substantial strides in addressing the healthcare access barriers faced by disadvantaged children, it does not fully resolve the persistent disparities. Limitations include uneven implementation across states and ongoing socioeconomic barriers beyond insurance coverage, such as transportation, language, and healthcare literacy. Therefore, while current policies are vital, more comprehensive strategies are necessary to achieve equitable preventive health access for all children (Foster et al., 2021).

Healthcare organizations can monitor updates to this legislation through official government websites such as Healthcare.gov, which provides information on policy changes, implementation guides, and ongoing legislative developments. Additionally, professional associations and public health agencies frequently publish analyses and updates pertinent to healthcare legislation and its impacts.

References

  • Cohen, R. A., & Martinez, M. E. (2018). Health Insurance Coverage: Early Release of Estimates from the National Health Interview Survey, 2018. U.S. Census Bureau.
  • Foster, H., Reiley, P., & Taylor, S. (2021). Addressing Healthcare Disparities in Children: Policy and Practice. Pediatric Health, Medicine and Therapeutics, 12, 123-132.
  • Gordon, C. M., Fry, R., & Wessel, C. (2020). The Impact of Uninsurance on Pediatric Preventive Care. Journal of Pediatric Healthcare, 34(4), 278–285.
  • The White House. (2010). Affordable Care Act: Summary of Provisions. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/healthreform/healthcare-overview/
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2010). Healthy People 2020: Summary of Goals. Healthy People 2020 Briefing Book.