Homework: US Healthcare Systems Module
The past decade has seen profound changes in how the hospital industry has organized itself, including the rising importance of hospital systems. Theoretically, system consolidation can have positive effects from improved efficiency and quality or negative effects from greater market power. Furthermore, these developments have led to hospital bankruptcies and closings, reductions in bed complements, and mergers and takeovers, as well as the formation of an ever-increasing number of hospital networks.
In this module, you studied how vertical integration can impact a health care system. In your opinion, should hospitals expand into other services in order to strengthen their financial standing, or is this a method of "self-referral," reaching out for income-producing areas that are outside the realm of the hospital's mission statement?
In a 1 to 2 pages paper, address the following:
I. Explain how vertical integration can impact a health care system.
II. Explain how a hospital's expansion into other services can strengthen their financial standing.
III. Explain how a hospital's expansion into other services can have a negative impact on a system by operating outside the scope of the hospital's mission statement.
Format your homework according to the give formatting requirements:
1. The answer must be double spaced, typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the course title, the student's name, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also include a reference page. The references and Citations should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.