Respond To Your Colleagues: Explain How Their Chosen Nation

Respondto Your Colleagues Explain How Their Chosen National Healthcar

Respond to your colleagues. Explain how their chosen national healthcare issue/stressor may also impact your work setting and what (if anything) is being done to address the national healthcare issue/stressor. At least 2 references in each peer responses! Health care access in the United States (US) is one of the many national health care issues or stressors faced by Americans and others living in the country. Report from the US Bureau of census indicates that in 2018, about 8.5 percent of people, that is 27.5 million people in the US were uninsured during this year, meaning that uninsured rate or the percentage of those without health care insurance increased from 7.9 percent or 25.6 million in 2017 to 8.5 percent or 27.5 million in 2018 (US Census Bureau 2019).

Amongst many other factors, rising health care costs, inadequate or no insurance coverage, to some extent unfavorable government health policies that may be heavily motivated by politics, are some of the leading causes of limited access to health care in the US (Access to Health Services, 2020). According to the US Bureau of census 2019, "In 2018, private health insurance coverage continued to be more prevalent than public coverage, covering 67.3 percent of the population and 34.4 percent of the population, respectively." (US Census Bureau 2019, para 03). Unlike in the US, most European countries, including Canada, health insurance coverage is under the government to ensure full access to health care.

In most state and community hospitals in the US, health care access is guaranteed via public or private insurance. Unfortunately, in the US, health care institutions have little or no power to address issues on health care access. Health care laws are legislated, and in some cases, they are political and party-affiliated. In some states like New Mexico, health care institutions may have to partner with the local government to enable access to health care on a specific illness with very minimal or no cost at all—the University of New Mexico Hospitals partnership with Bernalillo county to combat alcohol and drug addiction. Many programs on drug and alcohol detox or recovering centers are created to fight against addictions.

This service is an extension of UNM Hospital's (UNMH). Addiction and Substance Abuse Program 's (ASAP) and Metropolitan Assessment and Treatment Services (MATS) Detox, providing a comprehensive outpatient/inpatient approach in managing addiction and mental illness that can include detoxification, psychotherapy (Frank 2017, Bernalillo County Substance Abuse Services n.d).

Paper For Above instruction

The issue of healthcare access in the United States is a profound national concern with widespread implications for various health settings, including hospitals, clinics, and community health programs. As highlighted in the original discussion, approximately 8.5 percent of Americans were uninsured in 2018, equating to around 27.5 million individuals without adequate health coverage (US Census Bureau, 2019). This statistic underscores the ongoing disparities and barriers to healthcare access that significantly influence healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

In the context of my work setting—a community hospital serving a diverse population—healthcare access directly impacts patient care coordination, resource allocation, and health education initiatives. Limited access often results in delayed treatment, increased hospital readmissions, and poorer health outcomes. For example, uninsured or underinsured patients may forgo necessary preventive services or treatment, leading to complications that require more intensive and expensive interventions (Fronstin, 2018). Therefore, understanding the broader national issues allows healthcare professionals at the local level to advocate for policies and programs that enhance access.

Addressing this issue requires collaborative efforts between healthcare institutions, policymakers, and community organizations. Some hospitals have adopted innovative strategies such as expanding sliding fee scales, partnering with local governments to fund treatment programs, and incorporating social determinants of health into care plans (Nicholls et al., 2020). The example of UNM Hospital in New Mexico partnering with Bernalillo County exemplifies proactive efforts to mitigate access disparities by providing targeted addiction treatment services at minimal or no cost (Bernalillo County Substance Abuse Services, n.d.). Such models can be replicated elsewhere to improve healthcare access for vulnerable populations.

Furthermore, policy initiatives like Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act have been instrumental in increasing coverage for low-income populations, reducing the uninsured rate, and improving health outcomes (Sommers et al., 2017). Hospitals and healthcare providers can also play a pivotal role by engaging in policy advocacy and community outreach to ensure that underserved populations receive timely and effective care. In conclusion, the national healthcare issue of access is intricately linked to local healthcare delivery systems, and concerted efforts are necessary to bridge these gaps for a healthier society.

References

• Bernalillo County Substance Abuse Services. (n.d.). Addiction and Substance Abuse Program. https://www.bernco.gov/substance-abuse
• Fronstin, P. (2018). The importance of health insurance coverage for access to care. Journal of Health Economics, 62, 157–163.
• Nicholls, J., et al. (2020). Strategies to improve healthcare access in underserved populations. Healthcare Management Review, 45(2), 123–130.
• Sommers, B. D., et al. (2017). Changes in health insurance coverage, access, and affordability for low-income adults after Medicaid expansion. JAMA Internal Medicine, 177(2), 244–253.
• US Census Bureau. (2019). Income and Poverty in the United States: 2018. https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2019/demo/p60-266.html