Healthcare in the U.S. and Abroad
As the manager of a community healthcare clinic, you are on the frontlines of healthcare, connecting people with the information and resources they need, and this includes our leaders. In recent years, you have witnessed debates about healthcare systems policy on the rise within your community as well as at the local, state, and national levels. Knowing the significance of this issue for your community, you decide to put together a pamphlet for legislators to help them craft better healthcare legislation. You want your pamphlet to inform legislators about the existing U.S. healthcare system and, in order to evaluate proposed reforms and initiatives, how our system compares with the healthcare systems of other countries. Your pamphlet will include a point-by-point comparison of the U.S. healthcare system with the systems of two other countries as well as an objective analysis of how the healthcare policies of all three countries deal with two issues that are significant for your community.
Part I: Healthcare Systems Compared
Complete Part 1 of the Healthcare in the U.S. and Abroad template as follows:
Research the healthcare systems of foreign countries of your choice and select two countries whose healthcare systems differ from each other and from that of the United States; enter the names of these two countries as column headers. (Note: You may want to review the Global Health Observatory (GHO) data provided in the resources).
Analyze the healthcare systems of the United States as well as of the two countries that you have selected by inserting the information for each row as described on the template.
Use at least two credible sources and insert endnotes with APA style citations for your data.
Part II: Health Issues and Policies Compared
Complete Part 2 of the Healthcare in the U.S. and Abroad template as follows:
Select two health issues that are significant in your community that could be addressed by healthcare policy initiatives. (You can find these issues by interviewing health professionals in the area or by searching on healthcare databases.) Insert these two health issues into the table where indicated on the template.
Note: If you do not live in the U.S., use the community where you intend to practice.
For each of the two health issues, in the appropriate row, write a 1- to 2-paragraph analysis of the scope of the health issue in the U.S.
For each of the two health issues, research health policy that is related to the health issue and select one policy to discuss; write the name of the policy in the designated place. Then, write a 1- to 2-paragraph analysis of the impact of the policy on the health issue.
Note: The policy may address the health issue successfully or unsuccessfully.
For each of the two health issues, research the scope of the selected health issue in each of the two foreign countries you selected and, in the appropriate rows, write a 1- to 2-paragraph analysis of the scope of the health issue in each country.
For each of the two health issues, research health policy that is related to the health issue in each of the two foreign countries you selected and select one policy of each country to discuss; write the names of the policies in the designated places. Then, write a 3- to 5-sentence analysis of the impact of the selected policy within its country.
Note: The policies may address the health issue successfully or fail to adequately address the health issue.
For each of the two health issues, write a 1- to 2-paragraph analysis comparing how the policies of the three countries prioritize stakeholders in their treatment of the issue.
For each of the two health issues, write a 1- to 2-paragraph analysis comparing the outcomes and impact of the policies of the three countries.
Use at least two scholarly sources and insert endnotes with APA style citations for your data.
Sample Answer
Part I: Healthcare Systems Compared
Feature | United States | Country 1 (e.g., Canada) | Country 2 (e.g., Germany) |
---|---|---|---|
Healthcare System Model | Mixed public-private | Single-payer | Social health insurance |
Primary Payer | Private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid | Government | Public and private insurance |
Health Insurance Coverage | Employer-sponsored, individual, government programs | Universal coverage | Universal coverage |
Healthcare Access | Varies based on insurance coverage | Universal access | Universal access |
Healthcare Cost | High, with significant out-of-pocket costs | Lower than the U.S. | Lower than the U.S. |
Healthcare Quality | Varies, with high-quality care available but often at a high cost | Generally high quality | Generally high quality |
Note: Specific data and rankings may vary over time. It’s recommended to consult the latest reports from organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Commonwealth Fund for the most up-to-date information.
Part II: Health Issues and Policies Compared
Health Issue 1: Mental Health
Scope of the Issue in the U.S. Mental health issues are a significant public health concern in the U.S., affecting millions of people. Access to mental health services can be limited, particularly for low-income individuals and those in rural areas.