US Health Care Systems

Catalog description

This course surveys the 21st Century health care system and forecasts possible futures for it. The class covers the following: History of US health care from 1850-2013 with emphasis on the recent past and future; the impact of managed care; what caused it, what are its strengths and weaknesses, how it has and is evolving; monopsony-fueled recent and near-future changes in delivery systems structure, reimbursement, delivery of care and career opportunities; how long-term and chronic care is changing, the impact of the boomer generation and the future shortage of funds to pay for this care; how medical crises are created by medical providers. The impact of pharmaceutical manufacturers of crises and pseudo-crises; the needs of special populations, e.g. homeless, and the sprawling growth of ambulatory health provisions; and the development of quality assurance from its health care start in the 1980s to present day. (Cr.3).