Prepare well developed paragraphs in response to each of the following.
Short answers without well prepared support/argument will be considered incomplete.
The questions are based on class materials and videos; however, you will need to conduct further research to adequately respond to each question.
It is essential that each answer includes reflection from the video, from textual sources, and from other academic resources. Be sure to reference your sources.
Frame every response “in your own words.”
To be clear: these questions will require research. Each response will require your time in study, review of recent and relevant healthcare summaries and materials, and your thorough reflections. Changes in healthcare are frequent, and are usually modified by each presidential administration. For example, both Presidents Trump and Biden have executed changes to “ObamaCare.” Keep your research current.
- Personal reflections are helpful, however, this conversation is not restricted to our local tribal resources. The focus is on national health care, specifically the care described in the text and the Final background information provided earlier.
The video “Health Care” provided a definition for “private” and “public” health care systems. Under our current system (popularly known as “Obamacare”) many individuals are eligible for insurance but pay a smaller part of the cost, due to “subsidies” to make the insurance affordable. Further, by law, everyone is required to have insurance (with a few exceptions.) Other individuals are eligible for Medicaid, and seniors are eligible for Medicare (programs run by the government and paid by tax resources.) To confuse matters, Medicare recipients may choose “supplemental” and “advantage” private insurance plans to assist and/or manage their Medicare benefits. The majority of citizens rely on private insurance either provided by their employer, or insurance purchased as an “individual” policy. By law, everyone is mandated to enroll in a qualified insurance plan. Based on these parameters, is the U.S. health care system a “private” system, or “public?” Please explain your answer, and provide examples. (Minimum 400 words.)
Using the “The U.S. Health Care System” link, describe the driving forces of the costs of healthcare in the U.S.? Why? The article describes several methods to lower health care costs. Describe each. (Minimum 400 words.)
What do you think? What would you suggest to your Congressperson regarding healthcare? What would your suggestion cost to the U.S. tax payer? Is the public prepared to pay higher taxes to fund a publicly funded healthcare plan? (Minimum 400 words.)
This is not your “political” opinion. You cannot opt out of this question because you are not “political.” The following questions should be addressed in your answer, however, develop your responses in well developed paragraphs. Include responses from the video and from your research.
Identify how you feel about the costs of healthcare. Is it a community responsibility? Should we all share the costs of health care (i.e. through taxes)? Why should one individual pay for the healthcare of another individual?
Or is it strictly a personal responsibility? Everyone should be responsible for their own costs?
What should a provider (hospital, doctor, etc.) do if an individual cannot pay for healthcare?
What about children? Should children be denied healthcare if the parents cannot afford it?
