Introduction to the U.S. Health Care System

Catalog description

Three lecture. Overview of the inner workings of the health care industry and the political, cultural, and socio-economic forces that shape the delivery of health services. Predominant health care systems in the U.S., including Medicare and Medicaid will be examined along with the availability and utilization of various resources, health ethics and law, and quality of care. Students will be able to: describe the historical evolution and current delivery of health services in the United States; analyze the political, economic, and socio-cultural bases for change in the various U.S. health care system components (hospitals, long term care facilities, mental health systems, ambulatory care services); describe the current providers of health services; compare the characteristics of each of the health care systems and the appropriateness of each to various populations; describe the role and features of managed care and how it drives health care services; identify the financial resources for health services; analyze the major approaches to the evaluation and regulation of quality of care; apply ethical and legal concepts in the evaluation of selected case studies; and critique national health policy as it exists today. Prerequisite(s): ENG 098 or higher English course or placement above ENG 098.