...Executive Summary HCA holdings is a Nashville based hospital that has grown from a solitary hospital in the 1960’s to a company that is comprised of approximately 163 hospitals, 109 surgery centers, 5 psychiatric hospitals and 1 rehabilitation hospital. In this expansive corporation, it can utilize different strategies and tactics to overcome the recent recession. Recent Economic Trends Influencing the Business During the past few years, an increasing number of patients are uninsured due to loss of jobs, the recession, and “some employers have stopped offering health insurance, while others are passing along more of the cost to their employees.... As a result, some workers are abandoning their employer's plans because the premiums have become too expensive” (Christie, 2011, para. 7). The increasing uninsured patient accounts, intense competition and cost containment measures threatens Hospital Corporation of America. With more people without insurance it gives way to increased uninsured accounts that are at risk of not being paid. Patients understand that if they go to the emergency room, they will be seen and testing will be done without the need to check insurance or get authorizations. The “percentage of young adults ages 18 to 24 who were insured increased to 72.8% in 2010 from 70.7% in 2009” (Christie, 2011, para. 15). This is the only age group that had an increase in insurance coverage and this is due to the Obama administration's health care reform that allows...
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...in government funded reimbursement programs, such as Medicaid and Medicare (Gapenski, (2008). As the American population ages, the demand for increasingly efficient health care organizations is essential to a positive outcome for the industry. Health care is one of the world’s most complex undertakings, there are innumerable processes at every level. For-profit Financial Environment For-profit organizations must make a return on investments and services rendered. They must meet their obligations and must satisfy private investors and shareholders (Finkler, & Ward, 2006). With a return on investment being one of the top priorities, motivation can be fostered to provide high efficiency with a superior product. In this case, a superior service. Mountain Star Healthcare Mountain Star facilities are owned and operated by the larger parent company Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). This private company began trading shares in the stock exchange in 2011 (Hospital Corporation of America, 2013). Their goal is to approach service expansions with the patient put first. Mountain Star is placing conveniently located outpatient clinics in the surrounding communities. These individual clinics might include imaging, surgery, and physician clinics (Mountain View Hospital, 2013). Unique Financial Policies For-profit organizations are treated as private corporations or a financial variant. Because they are private entities, they are subject to all...
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...Barack Obama was elected as president of the United States of America making him the first non-Caucasian president in United States history. Barack Obama ended an era that spanned over 200 years taking what has been called the largest step on the road to true equality in the United States of America but what it also started was the most heated topic in recent memory by proposing universal healthcare. This issue has affected practicing doctors nationwide as well as the students working to become a doctor. Doctor K. N. is an AMA (American Medical Association) board certified urologist that graduated from the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. He opened his practice in 1989 and continues to practice in the Greater Houston Area with four separate practices that employ the nation’s leading healthcare professionals in every medical specialty. With “Obamacare” on the horizon, Dr. N. explains the impact it would have on practicing physicians (which includes himself), those who own or run any type of medical facility, and the positive and negative aspects when it came to how it would affect the general population. This past year over 50 % of doctors are employed by the government. As healthcare becomes a regulated industry, most doctors that are currently self-employed will no longer be able to effectively run a practice. Large insurance companies will be able to assert even more control of the nation’s healthcare industry. The confusing issue is if the government regulates...
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...The Paradox in the Affordable Care Act Submitted By: Vodney Wynn vewynn@aol.com October 12, 2014 PA582_CourseProject Table of Contents Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………3 The History of Healthcare Reform……………………………………………………………………………..…4 The Problem with the ACA……………………………………………………………………………………………6 The Current Policy………………………………………………………………………………………………………..8 Policy Alternatives………………………………………………………………………………………………………10 Evaluation Criteria………………………………………………………………………………………………………10 Policy Recommendation……………………………………………………………………………………………..12 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..13 References………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….14 Introduction Recent health care reform legislation, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Education Reconciliation Act, which is now being referred to simply as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), was signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010. Since the 20th century, several United States presidents have faced challenges in passing national health reform into law. Before the ACA was enacted, national health reform proposals under different governments in the United States faced strong opposition from various stakeholders and multiple interest groups. Therefore, the enactment of the ACA is revolutionary healthcare reform in the history of the United States. Healthcare insurance is a program that assists in paying medical expenses through privately purchased insurance...
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...Analysis of Contemporary Health Care Issue National health care expenses in the United States have been on the rise more rapidly than the national financial system for countless years, however several United States citizens are still lacking adequate health care. Sadly, health care spending is only going to rise and many people in the United States may have to make complicated decisions involving health care and additional responsibilities in their everyday lives if we do not start to reform. By reforming, it is hoped that America will see an increase to high-quality, affordable health care for all. Not only are private sector insurances enduring challenges due to health care spending, but Medicaid and Medicare are also. The Health Care Reform Act is hoping to drive down the cost or at least maintain the cost of health care spending. The reform is hoping to offer a delivery system that works better for clinicians and provider organizations by reducing their administrative burdens and helping them collaborate to improve care. The achievement of this reform will hopefully lead to assessable development in outcomes of care, and in the general health of the American people. Profit/Non-profit Although the provision of health services is dominated by not-for-profit organizations, there are many for-profit organizations as well that are affected by health care spending. With the National Health Care Reform Act, both profit and non-profit organizations could see a boost in...
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...Henry DeVry University The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Analysis Paper Professor: Dr. Devin December, 15th, 2013 TABLE OF CONTENTS Title: “The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Analysis Paper” I. Introduction A. History/Background II. Quality, Affordable Health Care For All Americas B. Immediate Improvements in Health Care Coverage for All Americans a. Amendments to the Public Health Service b. improving coverage i. Prohibition on rescissions ii. Extension of dependent coverage III. Immediate Actions to Preserve and Expand Coverage a. Immediate access to insurance for uninsured individuals with a preexisting condition. b. Reinsurance for early retirees IV. general reform c. Fair health insurance premiums d. Guaranteed availability of coverage V. Consumer Choices and Insurance Competition Through Health Benefit Exchanges e. Affordable choices of health benefit plans f. Consumer choice VI. The Legislation The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Analysis Paper Back on March 30, 2010 president Barrack Obama signed The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) since it had been approved by the house on March 21, 2010. It was a great step in the direction of safeguarding healthcare for all the individuals and family of the USA regardless of whether they are insured or not. There are several types of classes of people that live...
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...Health Care Spending Paper HCS/440 Health Care Spending Health care spending in America is at an all-time high. The baby boomer generation is reaching retirement age and its dependence on health care is greater than ever before. This burgeoning demand for health care services has put a huge strain on the infrastructure of the health care system that was originally designed to accommodate far less Americans than it currently supports. Many financial experts predict a drastic increase in health care spending in the years ahead. According to Wayne (2012), "Federal, state and local governments are projected to spend $2.4 trillion on health care in 2021, half of all U.S. medical expenditures, according to the analysis in Health Affairs by actuaries and economists from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Government accounted for about 46 percent of health spending through 2013” (Glide Path). This particular article shows monumental increase predicted for government funded health care in the near future. Speculation regarding the impact of the Affordable Health Care Act on future spending has been mixed. Some analysts say that spending will level-off; while others state that the reform will increase spending. According to Walker (2012), "National healthcare spending grew very little in 2011 -- just 3.9%, which was the same rate seen in 2010 -- to reach $2.7 trillion. The slow growth was mostly because of the lingering effects of the recession, the study...
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...March 23, 2010 marked a momentous occasion for President Barack Obama and the 111th United States Congress. This is the day that the 44th President of the United States of America signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This was the largest social legislation passed in decades. Just one week later, on March 30, 2010, President Barack Obama enacted the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 in order to amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. (Stolber and Pear, A19) Together they make enormous changes to health care services in the United States. This health care act affects everybody in the United States. This act will not only impact everyone as an individual, but it will also impact businesses as a whole. For this reason, this is something that everyone in America should have a clear understanding about. One of the main points of the new health care reform is to ensure that all Americans have insurance. With insurance not having been mandatory before, Americans who were uninsured had to deal with several financial problems when it came to paying medical bills. There are several individuals that do not have any medical insurance because they either do not have a job or the job that they do have does not offer insurance. And even some people who have the option to have insurance may not buy if because they don’t want to pay for it. And then these same people who have the option to have it but choose not to may end up using a government...
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...Introduction “Hospitals in Early America were founded to shelter older adults, the dying, orphans, and vagrants and to protect the inhabitants of a community from the contagiously sick and the dangerously mental ill.” Hospitals were not utilized by the general public and were thereby, poorly staffed, dirty and contaminated. (Sultz). Hospital Care is the most efficient way to detect chronical illness. They have all the machine and technology to be able to identify and find a disease. They can store files, that can pinpoint patients records, so that they can be care for their patients. Historical development Medicine has a history spanning many thousands of years and specialized establishment for treating the sick have also existed for a long period of time. Even though hospitals functions have not changed much over the last century, technological and scientific process has made possible treatment approaches that could not have been made 100 of years ago. and have made a huge contribution to healthcare. The main differences between hospitals today and a century ago are improved surgical techniques, safer use of anesthesia, and safer childbirth procedures. Today, many people take anesthesia for granted and people can't imagine having surgery without it, anesthetics are widely used and even with minor surgery it is done with the application of these drugs. They have become less dangerous and the control over their usage is applied effectively. Another significant achievement...
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...Johnson Foundation Commission to Build a Healthier America Wilder Research Wilder Research Wilder Research Report prepared for the RWJF Commission to Build a Healthier America by Paul W. Mattessich, Ph.D. Wilder Research Saint Paul, Minnesota Ela J. Rausch, M.P . .P Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Minneapolis, Minnesota With support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation June 2013 Creating Healthy Communities Cross-sector partnerships are sparking widespread action to improve community health COATESVILLE , PA SEATTLE, WA Access to healthy foods Access to preventative care and healthy housing LOS ANGELES , CA Quality early child care and education CHICAGO, IL Data and evidence to build health into all policies and practices MIAMI , FL Opportunities for physical activity and healthy living health community development • community development finance • community planning • early child care/education • human services • housing Introduction “ Building a healthier America is feasible in years, not decades, if we collaborate and act on what is making a difference.” —Robert Wood Johnson Foundation In 2008, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation convened a commission of nonpartisan leaders to identify opportunities to improve the health of all Americans by creating environments that protect and actively promote health. Their report, Beyond Health Care: New Directions to a Healthier America, included 10 recommendations for improving the...
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...------------------------------------------------- Economic terms and health care history Woody Johnson HCS/440 June 12, 2013 During history, health care economics has changed considerably. The main reason that stimulus change in health care economic are technology and medical care, however a lot has to do with evolutionary changes that the U.S. endured from the beginning. It is very essential to comprehend health care cash flow system and economic history. Administrators use this data to help organize the future of the corporation. In this paper, I plan to use the terms to elaborate on the history and evolution of health care economics and the timeline of finance. Before the year of 1990, there was not a significant health care in America. American medical association was just starting, individual were using home remedy to treat illnesses, physician was making house call and trade service for good, clinic were just getting started, and there were no such thing as health insurance. However, among the age of 1901 and 1940 health care and treatment made some significant change. Clinic became more necessary Antibiotics were found, improvements were made in cleanliness, and individuals came up with ideas for employment benefit. Also, individuals came up with ideas for health insurance. In the year of 1960 social security has been carried out, Medicare & Medicaid contracted into law, and Health Insurance Company were coming up all over (PBS, 1960). In the year of 1970, HMO came in effect, and the...
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...Health-Care System Sick?”). Insurance is a critical element in the health care of Americans. Millions of people are going without health care, and billions of dollars are being wasted. Lack of access to affordable health insurance and rising health costs are the problems of the health care system in America. Before 1920, doctors didn’t know enough about diseases to provide useful care to sick people therefore, they didn’t charge much. Only a few big employers offered health insurance, and everyone else paid out of their own pockets. When doctors learned more about diseases and effective treatments, they charged people more- more than what they can afford. To add on to the costs, doctors took advantage of the new medical technology and treated people in hospitals. To ease the health care problem, various plans were combined under the auspices of the American Hospital (AHA) and became known as Blue Cross. According to Goda, “Blue Cross insurance was considered desirable because they provided benefits to people in need, benefits from special state-sponsored legislation that made them tax-exempt and nonprofit corporations” (Goda 111). When Blue Cross first started they charged everyone the same premiums. However, when private for profit insures entered the market they charged premiums based on age, gender, health status, and pre-existing medical conditions. Private insures only insured healthy people and avoided the sick ones, which meant more profit for the company. The poor, day laborers...
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...of money on healthcare. In fact, the GDP percentage spent on health care is outrageous percentage of GDP spent on health care. As this number rapidly nearing rises and nears a record high twenty percent. For this reason,, there is are reasonsis evidence to supportbelieve that there are several flaws in the our current system. The problem has escalated at such a rate that there is no longer a question of “if” we address the rising health care costs, but “how” we handle them. Many other Several other countries sustain a more productiverewarding health care system in terms of preventive and curative health services, family planning, nutrition activities and emergency aid while maintaining a lower health care cost per capita (Davidson)at a fraction of the cost of America’s. In order to bring this spending in line with other countries, the United States must be willing to make sacrifices in fields such as insurance, pharmaceuticals, and research among healthcare institutions. heathcare research. This has proven to be a very difficult issue to address due to a longn extensive list of ethical issues within the systemdifferences among American citizens. It has been generally accepted that American’s spending could be brought in line withdown to the level of these other countries if the distribution of medical goods was rationed at rate of 50%the rationing of medical goods was cut at a rate of roughly 50%. In order to provide the most constructive provisions to healthcare expenditureIn...
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...Medical Tourism Medical Tourism Introduction Medical tourism is the act of traveling to other countries to obtain medical, dental or cosmetic care. Medical tourism is a new term but thousands of years old act. People have been traveling across the continents in search of cures for any imaginable illnesses and making therapeutic trips for health wellness. In ancient Greece, pilgrims and patients came from all over the Mediterranean to the sanctuary of the healing god, Asklepios at Epidaurus, and from the 18th century wealthy Europeans have been traveling to spas from Germany to the Nile. In recent years, medical tourism is becoming more popular with patients seeking treatment for health and well-being purposes abroad. Medical Tourism is also known as Medical Travel, Health Tourism, Surgical Tourism, Health Travel, Treatment Abroad, Surgeries Abroad, and Medical Outsourcing. Medical Tourism Concerns Though many are eager to be the right pieces in the puzzle, many are still struggling to get the right fit. There are a number of concerns and risk factors for patients getting treatment much less seeking them abroad. Some concerns for patients include a consistent quality of care, lack of extensive dialog between the patient and the doctor, lack of post-op follow up, cultural differences and difficulty in obtaining sufficient insurance coverage. In order to mitigate the risk, it’s essential that the patient works with well reputed facilitators. Medical Tourism Accreditation ...
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...UnitedHealth Group Name of Student Institutional Affiliations UnitedHealth Group The UnitedHealth Group is a company that offers diversified health care management services. It is based in Minnesota in the United States of America. It is located at Minnetonka (UnitedHealth Group, 1974). It is ranked the 14th on the Fortune 500 List of the best companies and business enterprises in the world. UnitedHealth Group has two companies that offer their services and products to the consumers. The two business entities are Optum and UnitedHealthcare. It has approximated that it serves over 70 million people in the United States of America. This paper discusses the company in various dimensions. Firstly, the history of its strategic evolution is presented. The important development highlights the various changes that have been done on the company since its introduction. The changes include the introduction of new services, products, and business branches. Notably, these changes are responsible for the success that the company has registered in the few past decades. The SWOT Analysis, Environmental Assessment, Financial Assessment, and Strategic Issues that the organization faces are also discussed. The paper concludes the evaluation of the company by recommending some strategies that could be used to improve the performance of UnitedHealth Group. These recommendations aim at improving the quality and quantity of production, profitability, as well as reducing customer complaints and enhancing...
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