...diseases. As employers, insurance companies, and the government seek to decrease these escalating costs, there is a concentration on individual health behavioral choices and the personal obligation of the individual to adopt healthy lifestyle choices. Within the framework of health care reform, there is a growing initiative by employers to impose financial health insurance penalties for unhealthy lifestyle choices. Financial penalties levied by employers and health insurance companies for unhealthy lifestyles are unethical targeting the most vulnerable and sick in our society. Employers and insurance companies have an argument for penalties based on the cost analysis of health expenditures on high risk populations such as smokers and obese...
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...Angel Gross HCS/440 Economic Issues Stimulation Paper 08/28/2014 Caryn Callahan Economic Issues Simulation Paper Introduction I am Angel Gross I am the vice president strategy and financial planning for Castor Collins Health Plan. My job description consists of on a daily basis is interacting with new patients and formulating health plans that will suit their needs also including pricing plans and setting insurance premiums. The HMO provides health insurance and health care services to enrollees through it statewide network of physicians and hospitals. Castor Collins currently has 100,000 enrollees throughout the state and is looking to increase this number. The first group constructit consist of a 1,000 people while the E-editors, comprises 1,600 people neither group has employer insurance this means that people comprising both groups will pay for they own insurance the people at constructit are willing to pay the maximum annual premium of $4,000 per person, while the people at E-editors are willing to pay a maximum annual premium of $4,500 per person. Constructit comprises 500 men and 450 women with the age group of 26 to 42 about 60 percent of the group id married. The members of E-editors comprise 760 men and 840 women in all the ages of 35 to 54 with the highest percentage of 61 percent being between 45-54 years of age. The majority of E-editors employees are listed as married. The work at E-editors is largely sedentary work sitting in front of computers...
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...In America, 38% of all adults are considered obese. This is a significant amount of the total population. Among the many health problems Americans deal with, obesity is one of the most prominent. Therefore, there needs to be an increase in efforts to prevent this growing problem of obesity. Some of the main areas where improvement is needed include low-income families, health care plans, portion sizes, and overall eating habits of Americans. Food stamps are very commonly used in the United States. In fact, one out of every eight people in America use food stamps. This wide-spread use of food stamps is a main factor in the increase in obesity in the US. When families using food stamps go to the grocery store, they buy food that they can store for later because one shopping trip needs to last them the whole month. The families cannot buy fresh food such as fruits and vegetables because of this. They end up buying junk food and other unhealthy options. Also, if the family’s food supply gets low, parents end up starving themselves to provide a sufficient amount of food for their children. They then end up going shopping for groceries on an empty stomach. This prevents them from thinking rationally, and the parents end up buying food that will not be beneficial to the family (Vanderkam). There are many...
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...Obesity in the Workplace Dorothy Fitzsimmons Webster University Problem Over one-third of American adults are obese. This paper will research discrimination against obese people in the workplace and how companies are accommodating the obese employee and promoting healthy lifestyles. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), two thirds of Americans, age 20 and older, have enough extra pounds to face health risks (2005). Many Americans face bias and discrimination at their place of employment. Some have been told by their boss, "You're too fat" and been fired, even with good performance evaluations. Many overweight and obese individuals fear they may lose their jobs or make less than their coworkers. Some cannot get jobs, due to inequitable hiring practices. Employers can be prejudiced. They offer overweight employees lower salaries. Question If more than one-third of American adults are obese, this group of Americans Body Mass Index (BMI) above 30, per Center for Disease Control (CDC), how do we prevent discrimination against them in the work place? How do we help this group of Americans obtain gainful and fulfilling employment, as well as empower them to improve their health status? Our First Lady Michelle Obama has made obesity our countries’ number one enemy. The First Lady created “Let’s Move” as her platform for combating obesity in our country. Answer The workplace is evolving in understanding...
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...plan that started in 1999. This plan provides coverage to 100,000 people in its state. They are looking to increase the number of individuals that it covers. My colleagues (Helen Feuerman CEO, Jonathan Wilkes, MD, Chief Medical Officer, and Adam Hunter Executive Vice President of Planning and development) and I will be looking at options of the best way to provide this coverage for the individual, the companies who employ them, and Castro Collins (University of Phoenix, n.d.). The two businesses that Castro Collins is currently working with are Construct-it and E-editor. Construct-it consists of $1,000 individuals that they are looking to cover for under $4000 per person. E-editor tops out at $1,600 people and is willing to pay $4,500 per person in annual premiums. The first company Construct-it has 550 men compared to 450 women aging from 26 to 42. More than half...
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...3 pros 1) Health care has become increasingly unaffordable for businesses and individuals. Businesses and individuals that choose to keep their health plans still must pay a much higher amount. Remember, businesses only have a certain amount of money they can spend on labor. If they must spend more on health insurance premiums, they will have less money to spend on raises, new hires, investment, and so on. Individuals who must pay more for premiums have less money to spend on rent, food, and consumer goods; in other words, less money is pumped back into the economy. Thus, health care prevents the country from making a robust economic recovery. A simpler government-controlled system that reduces costs would go a long way in helping that recovery. I wrote that “health care will cost the typical household roughly $15,000 this year.” As the word “roughly” suggests, that is an estimate. It’s an estimate of the median cost of health care for households in this country, including all insurance premiums, employer contributions, co-payments, Medicare and Medicaid taxes and everything else. How Much Does Health Care Cost You? By DAVID LEONHARDT Update | 12:51 a.m. http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/how-much-does-health-care-cost-you/ 2)We can develop a centralized national database which makes diagnosis and treatment easier for doctors. Most doctor's offices maintain a separate record-keeping system. This is why you always have to fill out a lengthy health history...
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...Economic Issues Simulation Paper/ Constructit Ruby Medders HCS/440 March 16, 2015 Lori Geddes Economic Issues Simulation Paper/ Constructit The research was done on determining which insurance policy would be better for a striving company. My decision was to research Constructit; I will give you my reasons behind choosing this company, benefits that will help the employees of this company and why I think this was the better choice for this company. (Getzen, 2013) Profile The companies name is Constructit, it employees 1000 people. The demographics for this company is ages 26-45 years old, there are 406 people between the ages of 26-30, 314 people between the ages of 31-35, and 82 people between the ages of 41-45. The total count for this company is 550 men and 450 women and 60% of the people are married. The physical condition of the people who work for Constructit shows that 32 % of the employees are involved in great physical activity, 25% is involved in a moderate physical activity, and the rest of the employees which is 43% are involved in sedentary activities. The health risk of the employee has been rated moderately high for health risk in this group. The good part of the research showed that 35% of the group has no major health risk, although 18% of the people who work for this company are smokers. (Getzen, 2013) According to report some of the major causes of work absenteeism at Constructit are injuries, respiratory system diseases, digestive disorders...
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...service providers. Others pay a greater share of costs for providers outside the plan’s network.” (Comparing health plans). However choosing the best form of medical coverage and being able to pay for it can be stressful to some. Each person and family may need different types of coverage and finding one that suits everyone in the household and accepts all family members due to their medical needs can be hard to find. This case study will look at such a family. A family with multiple medical issues to include, two members having diabetes and being obese, one of which has COPD and a child with asthma. We will look into different health care options and cost, a recommended plan for the family and then take a look at what the family will need within a year. Health care costs & coverage options Health Maintenance Organization Plans (HMOs) have a low out-of-pocket cost, which makes them a good choice if you want to avoid spending a lot of money. Also, since your co-pay commonly covers services outside the basic office visits, it is rather wide ranging. On the other hand, there are disadvantages for the reason that your choices are much more limited versus other plans such as, having to choose one primary care doctor and receiving referrals to see any specialists. There are some doctor’s offices that may not accept HMO plans, and it is not always easy to acquire a referral every time you need to see a specialist. Additionally, HMOs will typically only pay for visits to...
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...of clinics, nursing homes and small hospitals that in constant financial struggle and they work with very low financial margins limiting their investment in technology vital for better healthcare provision. More of the rural population suffer from chronic illnesses; arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, mental disorders and heart problems. Some of these preexisting medical conditions are not covered by insurance or the families have to pay higher premiums to be covered. The larger population in rural America does not access good nutrition issues because less population is engaged in agriculture due to their age. This with a sedentary lifestyle brings obese elderly people with lifestyle diseases. The nurses can assist the rural communities by educating them on ways to live and eat healthily. The people need to be advised on following a good balanced diet to promote good health and avoid diet related health problems, engaging in physical activities to promote good circulation and burn extra calories. The need for regular medical checkups should be emphasized. The people empowered enough with knowledge can learn to keep their health in check with less medical attention. References Americas - La Fe Health Policy and Advocacy Center. (2006)....
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...Application of Epidemiology to Obesity Your Name Dr. Donna Levesque Managerial Epidemiology – HSA 535 Strayer University Assignment 5 June 06, 2012 Abstract This report identifies, analyzes and explains the obesity problem in the United States compared to other countries. It outlines factors and reasoning as to why the obesity rate in the United States is higher than other countries. These report further address points of health care cost, political issues, and proposed policies and laws related to obesity concerns in the United States and in the State of North Carolina. Further strategic efforts toward the prevention of obesity with government support and individual dedication will considerably reduce health care cost, chronic diseases, and the high mortality rates associated with obesity and prolong the overall life expectancy of the country’s population. Key Words: Obesity, Cost, Policy, Rate, Cause Application of Epidemiology to Obesity Over the past decades the U. S. population has experienced a drastic change in their dietary habits and physical activity patterns. These changes have worsened over the years. Their consumption of nutritional food and drinks and their desire to participate in regular activity has declined dramatically. The results of this trend have caused a rise in the obesity rates, chronic disease cases, and health care costs. Sadly but true, the American people are dying at an alarming rate as the result of their...
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...EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Marcus Island healthcare system is characterized as socialized medicine where all residents have access to primary care, pharmaceuticals and diagnostic testing. While residents have access to care, they are responsible for a small portion of the payment at the time of service, and in some cases, those who are willing to pay a premium are afforded better access to services. While patients themselves believe their healthcare is either adequate or good, there are several aspects of the Marcus Island healthcare system that suggest care could be better. Specially, Marcus Island’s health care system has been running increasing budget deficits for the past five years. The health care system lacks access to comprehensive services including preventive care and screenings, mental health, dental service, and specialty care. Long wait times for appointments are an issue, as well as continuity of care between providers. Furthermore, there is no system in place to track quality of care indicators. An overhaul of the health care system is needed, including improvements in budgeting and increasing access to the full range of comprehensive health services. In addition, implementation of an electronic health records system would allow for greater continuity of care, improved efficiencies in services, and tracking of quality indicators. DEMOGRAPHICS Demographics: Marcus Island has thirty million residents; the population is growing. Family size is generally...
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...work? Advertising Should certain kinds of ads be banned in the interest of health/morality/annoyance – alcohol, cigarettes, prescription meds, etc…? Africa Why so many wars? What’s the solution? Airplane accidents Who is responsible? Should families of victims be entitled to compensation? Airport security Should the government use invasive pat-downs and body scans to ensure passenger safety or are there better methods? Al Qaida Has U.S. policy actually spread terrorism rather than contain it? Will it get better or worse? Why and how? Alcohol Should the U.S. lower the drinking age to 18? Animal rights Should it be illegal to use animals for sports and entertainment? Arming pilots Good idea? Art A few years ago, an artist was criticized for depicting the Virgin Mary with elephant dung. When is art not really art? Athletes in high schools Should shoe companies be able to give away free shoes and equipment to high school athletes? Beauty contests Do they serve any purpose in society? Bridges, roads, waterways Why the government gets a bad report card on America’s infrastructure. Bullying laws Should the state or federal government put laws into place to prevent bullying? Cell phones How have they changed us socially? Censorship Should parents censor textbooks and other literature for children in schools? Cheap labor U.S. companies that move factories to undeveloped nations barely pay employees enough to live on. Is it unethical to pay cheap wages or are...
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...that treated metabolic disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, and immune deficiencies, as well as other chronic and acute medical conditions. Metabical was part of a strategic initiative that would allow CSP to enter the $3.74 billion market for weight-control products in the United States.1 tC CSP’s chief marketing officer, Bernard Long, said of the new product: No Metabical is revolutionary. It will be the first and only prescription drug to receive FDA approval to meet the needs of the millions of individuals struggling with moderate weight-loss goals. Previous prescription weight-loss drugs had negative side effects that, in the agency’s judgment, outweighed the benefits provided to individuals who were not considered obese. Metabical will be approved for use by those looking to shed between 10 to 30 pounds. Initial reviews from the medical community indicate a strong endorsement of Metabical. Our product will offer moderately overweight adults a medically proven, effective method to reach a desirable weight and improve their overall health. 1 According to Mintel Interational Group’s Weight Control Products - US - March 2007 Report, total U.S. retail sales of weight control products in 2007 were estimated...
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...Andrew Weeden, Jason Giest, Kerri Kuhn Group 12 Metabical Case Current Competition Metabical is the “first and only prescription weight loss drug to receive FDA approval.” This prescription drug has less side affects than current weight loss options, which creates a market niche because if people are not obese but want to lose 10-30 pounds they might consider it if the negative affects are subtle. CSP is targeting overweight people (BMI between 25 and 30) not obese or sever obese people (BMI >30 or BMI >40), which is different from other weight loss drugs. They were able to do this by combining the “2 categories of prescription diet drugs: appetite suppressants and fat-absorbing blockers” in a dual layer pill. “The first layer contained an appetite suppressant, calosera, while the second layer contained a fat blocker and calorie absorption agent, meditonan.” These drugs worked in low dose levels, which created less negative affect on the body. Prescription drugs often have side effects but Metabical has no side effects associated with it, which is another major selling point for CSP. Some of the side effects listed for Metabical’s competition were serious enough to cause long term damage such as liver failure, kidney stones, severe stomach pain and gallbladder disease. Some of the major side effects were even life threatening. Not killing the customer is always a good strategy and encourages repeat business. The formula used for Metabical is also an advantage, the...
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...in United States is concerning to health care providers because it is progressing into a costly expense for those companies. The amount of fast food restaurants in United States is constantly increasing and to improve the reputation of junk food the restaurants have been trying to introduce reinvented products with a healthier approach. Unfortunately the new products lines and its menu alternatives are still not living up to the standard of a proper diet. The research will provide us with useful information about obesity, people’s attitudes towards fast food and their life-style choices. The information will determine if the fast food industry is responsible for obesity, which is a rapidly growing public health issue in United States, who should be held accountable for disease’s high cost. Define the problem and suspected causes The American way of life is suspected to be one of the major causes of the problem. In most households, both parents are working to support a lifestyle that is said to be the...
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