The American health care system: introduction

Article Abstract:

The US is one of the few industrialized countries that does not have a centralized health insurance system. Development of a universal health care program in the US may be difficult because taxes are too low to finance it. But the federal government has become more involved in all aspects of health care. Health insurance plans are widely diverse, but most Americans depend on employer-sponsored health insurance. Health maintenance organizations are becoming prevalent, and many companies have implemented their own programs to insure employees. The government has provided supplemental health care for those who do not have access to private health insurance by the establishment of Medicare and Medicaid. The Department of Veterans Affairs has a large tax-financed medical care program that similar to socialized medicine. Seventeen percent of the non-elderly population is uninsured, and has severely limited access to health care. Physicians are increasingly burdened by the health care crisis, and need to become involved in health care policy making on the federal level.

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The American health care system: Medicare

Article Abstract:

Medicare, the largest payer in the US health care system, was enacted in 1965 to provide health care for the nation's elderly. It was founded on the principle of social insurance, wherein employees make contributions during their work years and receive benefits when they retire. In practice, most employer/employee contributions are used to pay medical bills incurred by current beneficiaries. Part A pays for hospital services and nursing home care and Part B pays for doctors' services and outpatient treatment. Medicare pays approximately half of the beneficiary's bill; the patient must pay the rest. This out-of-pocket cost had risen to over 12% of net income by 1988. Congress has passed several bills to contain Medicare spending by restricting the amount that doctors and hospitals can charge. Medicare has often been mentioned during discussions about the budget deficit, but many of the solutions to reform Medicare are politically unpopular.

Aged, Elderly, Analysis, Insurance, Medicare

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The American health care system: expenditures

Article Abstract:

The US spends more on health care than any other nation but many are not satisfied with the level of care they give or receive. In 1998, an estimated 1.1 trillion dollars was spent on health care, yet about 16% of the population lacked health insurance. Money for health care primarily comes from employees, employers, and state and federal government. Consumers also pay deductibles and co-payments. Hospitals account for 38% of health care spending.

Economic aspects, Medical care, Cost of, Health care costs

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