Healthcare Policy & Reform

Catalog description

This elective for graduate students is designed to provide a foundation of knowledge of the United States healthcare system in four critical areas of focus: access to care, cost of care, quality of care, and consumer perception of care. Students will learn about U.S. healthcare policy, the government's role in healthcare, the history of healthcare reform, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Students will gain an understanding of how healthcare in the U.S. compares to that in the developed world. The course will introduce students to the history and evolution of the U.S. insurance industry, Medicare and Medicaid. The course will also explore the rise of consumerism in healthcare, both in the U.S. and globally. Further, students will gain additional insights about the intersections between business and healthcare through a series of guest lectures from hospital administrators, insurance company executives, experienced physicians, and experts on ACA legislation. This course will also offer an opportunity for students to engage in self-directed learning by designing and leading custom modules tailored to specific interests of class members.