Who controls health care? As you have learned, the U.S. does not have a central agency to manage and govern health care delivery. Rather, multiple parties have varying responsibilities for-and interests in-health care delivery. Therefore, this question deserves thoughtful consideration and raises many additional questions about health care in the United States.
For this Application, you will consider how the control of health care delivery has shifted over time-from the preindustrial era until today.
Review the information presented in the Learning Resources. Think about the changing roles and responsibilities of various individuals and institutions, such as:
- Physicians
- Hospitals
- Insurers/managed-care organizations
- Regulators
- Government payers (Medicare and Medicaid)
Also consider how the consolidation of various health care sectors (ex. pharmaceuticals) have affected health care delivery.
Write a 3-page paper in which you address the following questions:
- Who controls health care in the United States today? Why?
- How has this changed over time?
- What insights does this topic give you with regard to opportunities and challenges for health care administrators in today's organizations?
- If you are an international student, you may discuss who controls health care in your country in relation to the three assignment questions.