Introduction to Healthcare in the United States

Catalog description

This course introduces students to the organization, finance and delivery of healthcare in the United States. Students discuss how the structure of the healthcare system affects health outcomes for all populations. As part of this course, students explore the underlying principles of public and private health insurance. The course focuses on health policy reforms for both payers, providers, and patients and the challenges often faced with implementing reform. The influence of politics, economics, and environmental factors on delivery of healthcare services is discussed as well as how those factors affect patient outcomes and decision-making. In addition to the payment system, the course also introduces students to where healthcare is delivered and how care is regulated at both the state and federal level.