Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Altman: Pt. 2-3

     As continued from the first post, regarding this book, more political views in relation to pros and cons of the health care system are discussed. I always thought that finding the expected cost a person's medical bill was something hard to configure, based upon labor of the health care professions and the tools that would be used during the said procedure. Yet, in reality, the calculations of this is really based off on where we are a society today, and our age.
      Most young people, do not have a large history of medical records, which attracts health providers that seek to give them a lower co-payment if they were to end up in a hospital for whatever reason. Because of where we are as a country in relation to health insurance, a lot of elderly people are either not covered, or are covered with payments that are high, based off their previous medical records that show that they have had an abundance of complications.
     In order to change this problem, Medicare has been implemented into our health care system, as well as that of thoughts of equal coverage for all citizens for the United States. The con to ensuring that every one is treated equally in the health care system, is that insurance would have to be paid through federal taxes, which means the cost of taxes, and what working individuals give to the government, will increase significantly. There are simply not enough people working in our country, therefore not every pays taxes- to the contrasting fact that everyone needs medical attention at some point in their life, and it must be payed for, in some form.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Altman: Pt. 1

     Altman brings forth several issues regarding the health care system and its downfalls as to helping a widespread number of individuals. In the last blog that I wrote, I stated that a more efficient and beneficial form of healthcare would take place if the government found a way to please everyone, but Altman quickly gave me another view on this statement.
     As we all know, no two individuals think exactly the same, therefore not everyone views any same situation in a parallel manner, nor do we always agree with the opinions of others. Altman states how several political groups and politicians have tried to create a widespread insurance plan to cover everyone the best way possible, later realizing that the more people are covered, the more taxes will rise for working individuals, (which we discussed in class).
     With three groups of people in our country, (upper, middle, and lower class), two different genders, and an abundances of races, it is very hard for any to determine the best way for everyone to be treated in the same manner. To target the largest affect group of American's would be the most logical thing to do in a situation regarding so many people with different behaviors, backgrounds, and ethnicities, realizing that not everyone will nor can be satisfied under such circumstances.

Hoffman: Ch. 6-Epilogue

     Entering the end of this novel, Hoffman spoke a lot about today's healthcare system and how there are still improvements that need to be made, to ensure that all individuals are adequately available to have insurance. Though Medicare and Medicaid are both widespread amongst our country, not every person is available to receive this form of assistance. Like any other government provided system, to its people, there are stipulations and rules that either allow a person to receive benefits or be denied. Hoffman states that the political side of healthcare continues to become more indecisive with how it will and can be affordable to everyone.
     Seeing as though, Medicare is for the elderly, individuals who are sixty-five years or older, and Medicaid is for low income individual who must also provide personal information, such as their parental status, age, gender, and race- the conclusion that nearly over half of America's population is unavailable to receive either form of assistance. Because I have individuals in my family who cannot afford medical insurance, this subject hits "close to home". I feel as though a widespread healthcare system that isn't so limited, would benefit not only the people of our country, but the medical system, as well.

Potential Research Paper Topics

1. Mental Disorders
2. Alzhiemer's