With hospitals discharging patients to their homes sooner and sicker, families are not prepared and are overwhelmed. Many families do not want their loved one to go to a nursing home or skilled unit. Many families are never even given the option for home health care. Others think that when their family member is discharged form the hospital to home that there will be someone there 24 hours 7 days a week, for as long as the care is needed.

The home health care agency explained

There are two types of home health care agencies. The first addresses the health and medical care of the aging adult. Care is provided by home health care agencies, and can include the home health care aide, RN’s (registered nurse) and physical therapy. State and federal laws regulate these agencies. They are often Medicare and Medicaid certified. Many private insurances and HMO’s pay for these services as well. This means the agencies can get paid by these programs for providing home health services These services require a doctor’s order.

The services provided will be intermittent such as an RN coming in to do a dressing change or monitor vital signs. A home health care aide may come in a few times a week to assist with bathing and dressing. You must be housebound and only able to leave the house to go to the doctors or attend church to be eligible for these services.

The other type of home health care agency offers help with household duties and non-medical personal care. This could include preparing meals, bathing, dressing or moving around the house. Depending on the state, these agencies may or may not be licensed. This type of home health care allows a person with special needs to stay in their home. It is for individual’s who are getting older, are chronically ill, recovering from surgery or disabled. The best place to receive ongoing care may be in the comfort of your own home.

Studies show that our aging society not only wants to live independently as long as possible, but that they want to do it in their own home. Many have their own lives, live close to family and friends and have pets to keep them company and social activities to keep them busy. Mentally and emotionally, being at home is comfortable and often promotes wellness and healing.

Some feel that quality care at home can be expensive and is only for the wealthy

There are actually many ways for aging adults to receive qualify home health care. There are new programs such as reverse mortgages, VA benefits and long term care insurance. Many states now have state and local programs for the low income seniors that qualify for Medicaid to have waiver programs. These programs provide care at home in order to avoid an admission to a nursing home. There is a growing number of home health care agencies out there that provide for everything from companionship, to avoid loneliness to errand running and cooking and 24 hour live in services.

For medical and health care needs, there are home health care agencies that provide care when there is a change in the medical condition of the aging adult. The care required, must be deemed medically necessary by a physician.

For those individuals that want to age at home, having a good plan for the future in place is important. This may allow the aging adult to enjoy the comforts of home for as long as possible. You may no longer need to stay in a nursing home to receive good care.

If you are unsure if aging in place is an option for you or a loved one you may consider consulting with a care manager or eldercare consultant. A care manager can usually put together a plan that fits within a family budget. Care at home can be far less expensive than a move to a nursing home.

Diane Carbo is a Registered Nurse – As a geriatric care manager, that has cared for her father and mother in law in their homes, she learned first hand how overwhelming, stressful, and time consuming caring for a loved one can be. Staying in their homes was very important to them. As a result, Diane started http://www.aginghomehealthcare.com to assist others age in familiar surroundings and avoid the emotional and frustrating task of maneuvering the medical delivery system

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Diane_Carbo

To confront these problems, presidential hopefuls John McCain, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have all proposed extensive health care reform plans.

But some health care professionals believe that these proposals do not address the whole problem.

The United States is a nation living under medical apartheid. The South Florida Times summarized the studies’ findings as follows:

“… elderly black and Hispanic patients often received substandard care for common but serious conditions like heart attacks, congestive heart failure and pneumonia. Researchers say their data suggests

that the nation’s healthcare system is racially and ethnically segregated, not just for the elderly, but across the board.”

Lead researcher, Dr. Ashish K. Jha, said:

“When we see ongoing segregation in housing and education [in America,] it may not be surprising that we’re seeing very different administration of care in hospitals that serve blacks and Hispanics versus hospitals that mostly serve whites. But we’re not talking about [failures of] high tech medicine. This is basic stuff, like failing to administer aspirin or beta blockers to patients suffering a heart attack; treatments that we’ve known about for 20 years.”

These studies are consistent with earlier findings that, at all levels of incomes, black Americans die years earlier than whites. The infant mortality rate for African American babies is 2.5 times greater than it is for non-Hispanic whites, according to data from the National Center for Health Statistics, giving us the worst infant mortality rate of any industrialized nation on Earth except Latvia. It should be noted that these recent studies demonstrate that Hispanics in this country also experience extreme disparities in medical care.

Are you OK with that? Then how about this? Lack of health insurance results in the deaths of 18,000 Americans each year, according to studies compiled by the National Academies’ Institute of Medicine. That equates to 49 or 50 deaths every day. f you are plagued by concerns, anxieties, guilt, shame and despair over the health problems that people are facing….

It is estimated that nearly 90 million people – about one third of the population below 65 – spent a portion of either 2006 or 2007 without health coverage.

The percentage of people with employment-based health insurance has dropped from 70 percent in 1987 to 59 percent in 2006.

The number of uninsured children in 2006 was 8.6 million – or 11.7 percent of all children.

Nearly 3.5 million fewer children had health insurance in 2006 than in 2000.

Uninsured Americans get about half the medical care of those with health insurance. Compared to people with health insurance, the uninsured receive less preventive care, are diagnosed at more advanced disease states and once diagnosed, tend to receive less therapeutic care and have higher mortality rates.

About 18,000 unnecessary deaths occur each year due to lack of health insurance.

It is estimated that we have spent as a nation nearly 13.5 trillion dollars on health care since 2000, but this expenditure has not resulted in demonstrably better quality of care or better patient satisfaction compared to other nations.

It is estimated that we will have spent $2.2 trillion on health care services in 2007 – about 4.3 times the amount spent on national defense.

Health care spending is estimated to reach $4.2 trillion a year by 2016 – just eight years from now.

On average, health insurance premiums for employers have doubled since 2000.

Average out-of-pocket costs for co-payments, such as for prescriptions, deductibles and coinsurance for doctor visits, rose 115 percent between 2000 and 2006.

National surveys consistently show that the primary reason people are uninsured is because health coverage is too expensive.

In 2007, employer health insurance premiums increased by 6.1 percent -two times the rate of inflation and wage increases.

The annual premium for an employer health plan covering a family of four averaged nearly $12,100 in 2007.

The average employee contribution to company-provided health insurance increased more than 143 percent between 2000 and 2006.

It is estimated that nearly 700,000 patients have died in hospitals due to medical errors since 2000.

Unnecessary medical accidents, errors and poor quality are the nation’s third leading cause of death, just behind cancer and heart disease.

The Institute of Medicine estimates that nearly 100,000 patients die in hospitals each year due to medical errors. This is three times the number who die on the highways.

Recent studies show that only a little more than one-half of adult patients receive recommended care for their medical conditions.

It is estimated that 77 million Americans over the age of 19 have difficulty paying medical bills, have accrued medical debt, or both.

We have a current health care system that some 47 million Americans lack basic health coverage, while many who can afford coverage elect to do without because the deductibles are too high or the policies do not cover the treatments and procedures that they actually need. Medicaid offers health coverage for many low-income Americans, but not everyone qualifies for this system of government health care.

Average wages for working class Americans have not risen in parity with the ever-increasing health care premiums over the past six years, with some 11 million policyholders spending more than a quarter of their annual salary on health care expenses. Challenges readers to think past conventional wisdom and historical corrections for the future of Health care challenges.

Over the past six years, family health insurance premiums have risen on average about 69 percent, more than six times the increase in the median earnings of workers (about 11 percent), finds Families USA, a Washington group championing healthcare consumers.

This is not affordable for most families and individuals, forcing more and more to discontinue there coverages. Healthcare crisis is building momentum as more people elect not to maintain coverage for themselves and families. affordable coverage for healthcare is of growing concern for many americans.

Your gut started telling you something is not right, didn’t it?

Why do we have a crisis in health care costs today? Because government “solved” the last one.

Medical Insurance that Worked – Until Government “Fixed” It, I discussed the continuing health problems.

The best way to combat feeling bad about a terrible situation is to take positive action to do something good to correct it.

Visit my blog site http://2brio-wolfen.blogpot.com call Now 877-818-5337 code1680 Email dealer24@freeautobox.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_S_Carter

Professional home health care services givers include the medial aspect such as nurses, therapists, home health care assistants, and other licensed and certified medical caregivers. They are present to administer skilled care to the patient.

Home care services are provided to those who need assistance with tasks such as house cleaning, running errands, cooking, and just being around to assist if the patient needs other tasks such as these performed.

Social workers also play a part in home health care. They can provide counseling for emotional and social problems that the patient may be experiencing. They will direct those who need it to community resources which are available to them. They have various other services to offer as well.

Companions are another part of the care giving team. They are the ones who provide companionship to people who can not stay by themselves. If a disabled person stays by their self having a companion there to assist them can help if an emergency situation should occur.

To be assured that you have the best quality home health care for your disabled family member speak with others who are having or have had the same experience as you are going through.

Make sure that the home health caregiver that you request is experienced in care giving. The caregiver’s supervisor should manage the care provided to make sure the patient is receiving quality health care.

Whether you are hiring a home health care provider on your own or through an agency be sure to conduct an interview. Go over the needs of the patient and make sure the caregiver is capable of providing the type care that the patient needs. Advise the caregiver on medications, physical and mental problems that the patient may have, and how to deal with them. Make sure they know where everything is situated in the house which pertains to patient care. It will help in case of an emergency.

The payment for home health care services may be paid by the patient or some such as a family member. Medicare, under certain guidelines, will pay for skilled caregivers. There are others such as Medicaid, the Veterans Administration, and Social Services have programs which assist qualified patients. There are various other payers such as private insurances and more.

If the cause of illness is a work related incident workers compensation could pay for the home health care needed. In any case, the actual cost of home health care depends on which state the patient resides in.

Matt D Murren owns and operates http://www.home-health-care-advisor.com
Home Health Care

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_Murren

Health care is an immediate issue that concerns all of us. We all experience it and need it. Let’s serious ask ourselves if the current health care system is satisfactory and available to everyone. Should health, medicare and treatments be available to only selected groups? Many people are voting for the presidential candidate who can restore the present health care system or who can pioneer a better healthcare distribution for our country. Personally, I hope to see a change that health care is available and affordable to everyone.

Being able to receive basic health care is a fundamental need of all people. Fulfilling this fundamental need makes people feel secured, and it makes sense that people with better health can contribute more to the society. A realistic and reachable standard of health should be set for all people. This effort needs a non profit driving entity to establish and to maintain it. People’s life and health should not be compromised for the profit of few organizations.

Before moving to Japan, I was covered under my parents’ insurance policy in the United States. Their policy covered children of the family until the age of twenty-four. Upon graduating from university, I moved to Japan and started my first job there. I joined the Japanese national health insurance through the company I worked for. There are basically two types of health insurance in Japan: national health insurance and employer-sponsored health insurance. Usually, under employer sponsored insurance, the insurance premium is calculated according to income, number of dependents, and the company’ subsidies. For someone who is self-employed or unemployed, the national health insurance costs a minimum of 13300 yen, or about $110 per month plus a small percentage of income for those who are self-employed. In other words, everyone can get insurance from around $100 dollars a month. Unlike the Medicaid program in the U.S. which is only available to certain low-income groups with specific requirements for eligibility, the Japanese health insurance is available to every citizen and legal residents. There is a ceiling to what the Japanese National insurance covers, but it covers all the basics and beyond.

In most cases in Japan, patients choose their doctor and hospital. There is no limitation to the doctors or hospital they can visit. This is a true competition among the clinics, hospitals, and medical practitioners, not for profit, but for quality. The same insurance that people have in Japan gives them the freedom to get second opinions and naturally eliminates those doctors whose practices are in question. The doctor visits, treatments, and medicine are not free; one is responsible for thirty percent of their medical bills. Japanese health costs are much lower than the costs in the United States. Thirty percent of the medical bill is still a reasonable amount one can afford. There are also special cases or categories of illness for which the insurance would give more coverage. If one is late on his payment, his insurance will not automatically be invalid. The insurance will still cover the person as long as he makes up the missed payments. After all, some people do run into difficulties in life at one point or another. Sounds to good to be true? Well, It’s real.

Taiwan, a place with no world recognition politically, has one of the top public health care system in the world. After moving to Taiwan due to my husband’s transfer a year a go, I learned and appreciated the system where universal or national health care is available to all more than ever. When speaking of universal, national, or pubic health insurance, people often turn their attention to the well-debated and discussed health care system in Canada. There are those whose views are negative, claiming that the medical service in a single-payer insurance system may not perform at its ultimate, and those whose views are positive, saying that they do not live in fear of ever having to face bankruptcy for outrageous medical bills. From my informal inquiries, more Canadian I came across favor their national health care system. Most of those who favor their national health care system commented that people of Canada are more secured in having their basic physical and psychological needs met.

In Taiwan, there is also government-sponsored universal health care for not only their citizens but also for foreign residents who live in Taiwan. Foreign residents can apply for the government-sponsored insurance after proving their legal status of residing in Taiwan. The insurance fee starts from the basic 600NT, or around $18 a month. For people in higher income brackets, their insurance is calculated based on a percentage of their income over the 600Nt. Fees are waived for retired soldiers, those who are physically challenged, and people who have economic disadvantages.

Interestingly, Taiwan’s national health insurance has only been established for little more than two decades, since 1985. The government policy-makers studied health care system from different foreign countries and composes the first Taiwan national health care from the ideas and methods of the system of other countries. It was said that Taiwan’s national insurance system is like a completed puzzle made from pieces of which fit its country and people. This insurance now covers the entire population, including foreign legal residents. According to research funded by Taiwan’s National Health Research and Taiwan’s Bureau of National Health Insurance, the cost of health care did not rise after the universal coverage was established (Jui-Fen & Hsiao, 2003.) What does that tell us?

A basic health care program can greatly reduce the consequences of illness left untreated. Basic health care does not mean free of charge or mindless spending without control. To build a healthy nation, we should take a closer look at the current U.S. health insurance. After all, a sound nation starts with the health of its people.

Writer’s Information:
The writer is a Chinese-American. After graduating from Queens College, New York, she moved to Japan and started teaching English as second language. In the 15years of living in Japan, she became a wife, a mother and a university lecturer. She continued her education after giving birth to her daughter and is now pursuing her ph.d in education. She is a positive person who is always looking forward to challenging new things. In Japan, many friends and students were affected by her words and encouragement, especially women. Using herself as examples, she encourages women to be a life time learner, open minded and to have self confidence. Now she is temporarily residing in Taiwan with her family.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michelle_Kawamura

Poor access to health care is a problem for many special populations, and the reasons spans across the global community. According to Anderson, Rice and Kominski (2001) access to care is often assessed by existence of regular medical care and coverage of services, as well as by an absence of delays and barriers to care. Having a regular source of medical care is recognize as important for the general population, as well as for those with various chronic diseases (Anderson, Rice & Kominski, 2001 p.236). The poor, elderly, women, children and HIV/AIDS group are the most vulnerable groups in the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) indicate the next two decades will see dramatic changes in the health needs of the world’s populations with non-communicable diseases, mental illness, infectious diseases and chronic illness as leading causes of disability. Increases in the older population by up to 300% are expected in many developing countries; in addition, HIV/AIDS will continue to be a major cause of disability and death. These changes require a very different approach to health sector policy and health care services among the special populations of the world (WHO, 2006)

Special population needs

According to WHO, there were 390 million people aged over 65 years recorded in 1998, and this figure is estimated to double in 2025. With advances in medicine and prolonged life expectancy, the proportion of older people will continue to rise worldwide (WHO, 2006). Unfortunately fragile health and mobility, neglect and abuse are factors that increase the vulnerability of elder women and men. Al-Nasir and Al-Haddad (1999) suggest as the overall number of elderly people increase there is a corresponding rise in the number of older persons with disabilities. Such disabilities may be social, physical, mental or psychological. Data from the U.S. have estimated that 9.5 million, non-institutionalized individuals, experience difficulty in performing basic activities, such as walking, self-care and home management activities (Al-Nasir & AL-Haddad, 1999).

The elderly population and there needs has an enormous implications for health care system across the global. The financial infrastructure of nations must be prepared to accommodate the coming influx of elderly patient. According to Fried and Gaydos (2002) the aging population, has put enormous pressure on the Japanese health care system. The Japan’s has a unique fund for the elderly know as the Roken system. The Roken system is a pooling fund which attempts to distribute the burden of paying for geriatric care for all Japanese. Established in 1983, the pooling fund covers those who are more than 70 years old and bedridden people over 65 years old. The fund pools contributions from all insurance schemes. Seventy percent of medical costs for the elderly are covered by contributions from health insurance societies for company employees and national health insurance schemes and the government shoulders the remaining 30 percent (Fried and Gaydos, 2002 p. 251). One draw back to the Roken system is when the number of workers paying into the pooling fund is lower than the proportion of elderly people seeking assistance the system may not be sustainable.

In the U.S. the rapid growth of the elderly will put new stains on the financial resources of Medicare. Many older people who on fix incomes or limited financial resources may need a system as the Japanese Roken system, where health care is covered by contributions from health insurance companies or a universal social insurance scheme. The Medicare program has broad public support because it offers health security to many older and disabled people. Longest, Rakich and Darr (2000) suggest the need for a long-term approach to program financing, improved benefits and protections for people with low incomes remains an important issue to address. Medicare is facing the challenge of financing and managing health care for the growing number of Americans who will rely on this program for health insurance protection (Longest, Rakich and Darr, 2000). In the future the increasing growth of the elderly may pressure the government to set policies that resemble a cost sharing between private insurance and Medicare.

HIV/AIDS Group

According to Kates, Jennifer, Dorian, Richard, Crowely, Jeffers, Summers and Todd (2002) more than 60 million people have been infected with HIV worldwide, 20 million have died. HIV is now the leading cause of death in Africa and the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. Most of the impact has been felt in the developing world. Children and women are increasingly at risk. In addition, it is estimated that more than 40 million children will have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS by 2010 and these children will also be at increased risk for HIV (Kates, et. al, 2002). Access to treatment and available drugs are some of the unique health care needs facing the world HIV/AIDS population.

Fried and Gaydos (2002) indicate Cuba incidence of HIV/AIDS cases remains very low, although it is increasing as Cuba opens more to tourism and external contracts. Cuba once had a policy of quarantining for all HIV-positive cases. Pressures from international bodies such as the United Nations and many large nongovernmental agencies, Cuba now has a voluntary quarantine after medically recommended stay in a residency for eighth weeks. All newly identified people with HIV are also expected to spend at least eight weeks in a sanatorium (Fried & Gaydos, 2002). Cuba’s health system is funded primarily by the national budget through indirect taxation and duties. Cubans are expected to pay for all drugs for outpatient treatment. Access to health care treatment and services for HIV/AIDS patient therefore is very limited.

In the U.S. even a voluntary quarantine of newly HIV diagnosed patient would be a social injustice. As HIV progress in the U.S. individuals experience disability and unemployment due to the illness. Many HIV/AIDS patients rely on public entitlements and private disability programs for income maintenance and health care benefits. Medicaid and Medicare are the primary payers for individuals who are disabled. Anderson, Rice and Kominski (2001) suggest the lack of insurance and underinsure can represent formidable financial barriers to treatment for HIV/AIDS. Persons with HIV/AIDS are more likely than the general population to be uninsured or to have Medicaid insurance. Unlike Cuba in the U.S. AIDS medication is available to HIV/AIDS patient however not all medications are covered by insurance (Anderson, Rice & Kominski, 2001).

The financial burden of HIV infection increasing in communities is a financial burden on health care providers and public payers. The reliance on an infinite source of public funds for people with HIV/AIDS is in dout. Cuba is a communist country which developed a process of governmental quarantine for the HIV/AIDS population. The U.S. method of moving the HIV/AIDS patients into managed Medicaid health plans is a better process in which patient care is managed for the purpose of reducing the cost of treatment.

While gender affects the health of both men and women, WHO places special emphasis on the health consequences of discrimination against women that exist in nearly every culture. Powerful barriers including poverty, unequal power relationships between men and women, and lack of education prevent millions of women around the world from having access to health care and from attaining and maintaining the best possible health (WHO, 2006).

Anderson, Rice and Kominski (2001) indicate in Israel the waves of immigration in the early twentieth century sparked the establishment of networks of community welfare and health organizations. The sick fund model of health provision has persisted in Israel to this day. Although the 1994 National Health Insurance (NHI) Law made all sick funds regulated subcontractors of the state, thereby providing health care services to the country’s residents under government regulation (Anderson, Rice & Kominski, 2001). The system has been developed through voluntary sick funds, not for profit institutions, and the state. Israeli health system stem from organized social arrangements in which the government is responsible for the health of its citizens. The state has an active role in the development and financing of health care services that extend into the private sectors.

In the U.S the entrepreneurial system is more concern with the cost and the profit involve in providing health care for individuals. The Israel NHI is a system of collaborative efforts on subcontractors of the government. The process of subcontracting allows the government to oversea the implementation of health care activities through out the country. In the U.S. entrepreneurial system subcontracting by the government would give too much control over the health care system. The Israel system can not be applied readily to the U.S. health care system because there are no true national mandates that can be applied to an entrepreneurial system. Anderson, Rice and Kominski (2001) indicate in the U.S. individuals or employers may purchase private health insurance. Approximately 63 percent of Americans had private health insurance between 1977 and 1999. Of those with private insurance, 58 percent obtained health insurance through their employer, and 5 percent purchased insurance individually. Private health insurance companies may operate as for profit or not for profit organizations (Anderson, Rice & Kominski, 2001). Private health insurance organization with in the U.S. would fight against a system such as Israel NIH. The NIH is a allows Israel to regulate the health care system by subcontracting this type of system would cut the profit margin of private health insurance companies in the U.S.

Conclusion

Rising health insurance costs and high numbers of uninsured citizens has generated a public interest in national laws that would provide access to care for special populations. When evaluating Non-US health care concepts there is no one systems that guarantee universal access to health care for all. The national health care policy in the U.S. has evolved incrementally over the decade. Access to care has generally depended on insurance coverage that is implemented privately or publicly. With the increase needs of special populations the U.S. will have to establish policies that allow the collaboration between private as well as public entities to secure access for those in need.

References

Al-Nasir, F. & Al-Haddad, M. K. (1999). Levels of disability among the elderly in
Institutionalized and home-based care in Bahrain: Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal (5) p. 247-254 Retrieved March 3, 2006 from [http://www.emro.who.int/publications/emhi/0502/05.htm]

Anderson, R. M., Rice, T. H., & Kominski, G. F. (Eds.). (2001). Changing the U.S. health care
system: Key issues in health services Policy and management (2nd ed.). San Francisco:
Jossey-Bass.

Fried, B. J., & Gaydos, L. M. (Eds.). (2002). World health systems: challenges and perspectives.
Chicago: Health Administration Press.

Kates, Jennifer, Sorian, Richard, Crowely, Jeffrey S., Summers & Todd, A. (2002). Critical
policy challenges in the third decade of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. American Journal of Public Health (92) Issue 7 Retrieved March 3, 2006 from [http://web14.epnet.com/citation.asp?tb=]

Longest, B. B., Rakich, J. S. and Darr, K. (2000) Managing health services organizations and
systems (4th ed.). Baltimore, MD: Health Professions Press, Inc.

World Health Organization (2006). Important target groups Retrieved March 2, 2006 from
http://www.who.int/oral_health/action/groups/en/print.html

Bio- Dr. Gilton C. Grange

Dr. Gilton Grange’s formal education includes a Doctorate of Philosophy in Health Administration from the University of Phoenix, A Master of Public Administration from Long Island University and A Bachelor of Arts degree fro State University of New York at Buffalo. Dr. Grange has 12 years extensive experience in the Health Care arena and currently has concentrated his efforts in grant writing and grant development for organizations that seek to grow their businesses. Dr. Grange’s company BridgeBuilder Consortium provides services in proposal writing, management and costing for firms and organizations bidding on government contracts and grants. Dr. Grange is currently working on his first comprehensive book that focuses on multi-disciplinary teams in an organizational construct.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Gilton_Grange

Believe it or not, America boasts some of the world’s best doctors, the most advanced health care system, and the most technically superior resources in the world, bar none. Those who travel globally and have gotten sick know that their first choice for treatment would be in the U.S. Though health care in America is, more expensive than any other country, many of the worlds wealthiest come to the U.S for surgical procedures and complex care, because it holds a worldwide reputation for the gold standard in health care.

To examine the complex health care issue, a small research study was conducted from randomly selected doctors in a best doctors database. We ask 50 top doctors, located in different states and who practice different specialty fields, ” Is a universal health care plan good for America?” Forty-eight of these doctors essentially responded that it was a “bad idea” that would have negative impacts on the quality of our nation’s health care.

Social Engineering Medicine

One of the greatest mis-conceptions some people have relied on with regard to the health care debate is that, given a universal health care system, every person in the U.S. would receive the highest quality health care – the kind our nation is renowned for and that we currently receive. However, unlike some public amenities, health care is not a collective public service like police and fire protection services, therefore the Government cannot provide the same quality of health care to everyone, because not all physicians are equally good orthopedic surgeons, internists, neurosurgeons, etc, in the same way that not all individuals in need of health care are equally good patients.

As an analogy – stay with me – when you design a software program, there are many elements that are coded on the back-end, and used to manipulate certain aspects of the software program, that your average “John Doe” who uses the software (the end user) does not understand or utilize, nor do they care about these elements. Certain aspects of the program are coded, so that when one uses that portion of the program, other elements of the program are manipulated and automatically follow the present or next command.

Likewise, once a universal care plan is implemented in America and its massive infrastructure is shaped, private insurance companies will slowly disappear, and as a result, eventually patients will automatically be forced to utilize the government’s universal health care plan. As part of such a system, patients will be known as numbers rather than patients, because such a massive government program would provide compensation incentive based on care provided, patients would become “numbers,” rather than “patients.” In addition, for cost savings reasons, every bit of health information, including your own, will be analyzed, and stored by the Government. What are the consequences? If you’re a senior citizen and need a knee replacement at the age of 70, the government may determine that you’re to old and it’s not worth the investment cost, therefore instead of surgery, you may be given medication for the rest of your life at a substantial cost savings to the government, and at a high quality of life price to you.

Solutions:

Fixing the current U.S. health care system might require that we;

1. Encourage prevention and early diagnosis of chronic conditions and management.
2. Completely reform existing government are programs, including Medicare and Medicaid.
3. Forgive medical school debt for those willing to practice primary care in under-served areas.
4. Improve access to care, provide small businesses and the self-employed with tax credits, not penalties for providing health care.
5. Encourage innovation in medical records management to reduce costs.
6. Require tort reform in medical malpractice judgments to lower the cost of providing care.
7. Keep what isn’t broken-research shows 80% of Americans are happy with their current insurance, therefore, why completely dismantle it?
8. Reimburse physicians for their services.
9. Innovate a system in which Medicare fraud is dramatically decreased.

Devil In the Details

Socialized medicine means:

1. Loss of private practice options, reduced pay for physicians, overwhelming numbers of patients, and increasing burn-out may reduce the number of doctors pursuing the profession.

2. Patient confidentiality will need to be compromised, since centralized health information will be maintained by the government and it’s databases.

3. Healthy people who take care of themselves will pay for the burden of those with unhealthy lifestyles, such as those who smoke, are obese, etc.

4. Patients lose the incentive to stay healthy or aren’t likely to take efforts to curb their prescription drug costs because health care is free and the system can easily be abused.

5. The U.S. Government will need to call the shots about important health decisions dictating what procedures are best for you, rather than those decisions being made by your doctor(s), which will result in poor individualized patient care.

6. Tax rates will rise substantially-universal health care is not free since citizens are required to pay for it in the form of taxes.

7. Your freedom of choice will be restricted as to which doctor is best for you and your family.

8. Like all public programs, government bureaucracy, even in the form of health care, does not promote healthy competition that reduces costs based on demand. What’s more, accountability is limited to the budgetary resources available to police such a system.

9. Medicare is subsidized by private insurers to the tune of billions of dollars, therefore if you take them out of the equation, add a trillion dollars or more to the current trillion dollar-plus cost estimates.

10. Currently, the government loses an estimated $ 30 billion a year due to Medicare fraud. Therefore, what makes anyone think that this same government will be able to run & operate a universal health care system that is resistant to fraud and save money while doing so?.

Hugo Gallegos is a health information technology expert & founder of http://www.mdnationwide.org, a research & information company specializing in identifying America’s best medical doctors and providing comprehensive medical doctor background reports.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hugo_Gallegos

Home health care is allowing the patient and their family to maintain dignity and independence. According to the National Association for Home Care, there are more than 7 million individuals in the United States in need of home health care nurse services because of acute illness, long term health problems, permanent disability or terminal illness.

Home Health Care Basics

Nurses practice in a number of venues: Hospital settings, nursing homes, assisted living centers, and home health care. Home health care nursing is a growing phenomenon as more patients and their families desire to receive care in their homes. The history of home health care stems from Public Health Nursing where public health nurses made home visits to promote health education and provide treatment as part of community outreach programs. Today academic programs train nurses in home care and agencies place home health care nurses with ailing individuals and their families depending on the nurse’s experience and qualifications. In many cases there is a shared relationship between the agency and the academic institution.

Many changes have taken place in the area of home health care. These include Medicare and Medicaid, and Long Term Care insurance reimbursement and documentation. It is important for the nurse and nursing agency to be aware of the many factors involved for these rules and regulations resulting from these organizations. Population and demographic changes are taking place as well. Baby boomers approaching retirement and will present new challenges for the home health care industry. Technology and medical care in hospitals has lead to shorter inpatient stay and more at-home rehabilitation. Increases in medical outpatient procedures are also taking place with follow-up home care. This has resulted in the decrease of mortality rate from these technologies and medical care has lead to increases in morbidity and chronic illness that makes the need for home health care nursing a greater priority.

Home Health Care Nurse Job Description

Through an array of skills and experience, home health care nurses specialize in a wide range of treatments; emotional support, education of patients who are recovering from illnesses and injury for young children and adults, to women who have experienced recent childbirth, to the elderly who need palliative care for chronic illness.

A practicing nurse must have the skills to provide care in a unique setting such as someone’s home. The nurse is working with the patient and the family and must understand the communication skills for such dynamics. Rapport is evident in all nursing positions, but working in a patient’s own living space needs a different level of skill and understanding. There is autonomous decision making as the nurse is no longer working as a team with other nurses in a structured environment, but is now as a member of the “family” team. The host family has cultural values that are important and are different for every patient and must be treated with extreme sensitivity. Other skills include critical thinking, coordination, assessment, communication, and documentation.

Home health care nurses also specialize in the care of children with disabilities that requires additional skills such as patience and understanding of the needs of the family. Children are living with disabilities today that would have resulted in mortality just twenty years ago. Genetic disorders, congenital physical impairments, and injury are just a few. Many families are familiar with managing the needs of the child, but still need expert care that only a home health care nurse can provide. It is important that a home health care nurse is aware of the expertise of the family about the child’s condition for proper care of the child. There are many complexities involved, but most important, a positive attitude and positive reinforcement is of utmost importance for the development of the child.

Medication coordination between the home health care nurse, doctor, and pharmacist, ensures proper management of the exact science behind giving the patient the correct dose, time of administration, and combinations. Home health care nurses should be familiar with pharmacology and taught in training about different medications used by patients in the clinical setting.

Many advanced practicing nurses are familiar with medication regiments. They have completed graduate level programs. Home health care agencies believe that a nurse should have at least one year of clinical experience before entering home health care. Advanced practicing nurses can expedite that training by helping new nurses understand the home health care market and teaching.

Employment and Salary

According to the United States Department of Labor, there were 2.4 million nurses in America, the largest healthcare occupation, yet many academic and hospital organizations believe there is a gross shortage in nursing staff. The shortage of nurses was 6% in 2000 and is expected to be 10% in 2010. The average salary for hospital nursing is $53,450 with 3 out of 5 nursing jobs are in the hospital. For home health care, the salary is $49,000. For nursing care facilities, they were the lowest at $48,200.

Training and continuing education

Most home health care nurses gain their education through accredited nursing schools throughout the country with an associate degree in nursing (ADN), a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN), or a master’s degree in nursing (MSN). According to the United States Department of Labor, in 2004 there were 674 BSN nursing programs, 846 ADN programs. Also, in 2004, there were 417 master’s degree programs, 93 doctoral programs, and 46 joint BSN-doctoral programs. The associate degree program takes 2 to 3 years to complete, while bachelors degrees take 4 years to complete. Nurses can also earn specialized professional certificates online in Geriatric Care or Life Care Planning.

In addition, for those nurses who choose to pursue advancement into administrative positions or research, consulting, and teaching, a bachelor’s degree is often essential. A bachelor’s degree is also important for becoming a clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners (U.S. Department of Labor, 2004).

All home health care nurses have supervised clinical experience during their training, but as stated earlier advanced practicing nurses hold master’s degrees and unlike bachelor and associate degrees, they have a minimum of two years of post clinical experience. Course work includes anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology, nutrition, psychology, and behavioral sciences and liberal arts. Many of these programs have training in nursing homes, public health departments, home health agencies, and ambulatory clinics. (U.S. Dep. of Labor, 2004).

Whether a nurse is training in a hospital, nursing facility, or home care, continuing education is necessary. Health care is changing rapidly and staying abreast with the latest developments enhances patient care and health procedures. Universities, continuing education programs, and internet sites, all offer continuing education. One such organization that provides continuing education is the American Nurses Association (ANA) or through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Conclusion

There are many rewards to becoming a home health care nurse. Some rewards include the relationship with a patient and their family, autonomy, independence, and engaging in critical thinking. The 21st Century brings with it many opportunities and challenges. We must meet these challenges head on – there is an aging baby boomer population, a growing morbidity factor due to increased medical technology and patient care, and the growing shortage in nursing care.

Becoming a home health care nurse today is exciting and an opportunity to make a difference one life at a time. With clinical experience and proper education, a home health care nurse will lead the future of medical care.

By Michael V. Gruber, MPH is a contributing author to My Nursing Degree Online, providing articles and resources for nurses looking for continuing education online. With a Masters of Public Health and two years of medical school, Michael provides a unique perspective on the current nursing shortage crisis on the Nursing Career Blog as well as comprehensive articles about nurse education and advancement.

Find more information about becoming a Home Health Care Nurse including certification and job openings at My Nursing Degree Online.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_V._Gruber

There’s something like $50 billion a year in profit extracted from the health care system, and that’s only about one-sixth as much as the bureaucratic costs of actually extracting that profit. In fact, we spend each year about $320 billion or $340 billion on useless bureaucratic work in order to apportion the right to health care according to ability to pay, enforce inequality in care, and enforce the collection of profit by insurance companies, for-profit hospitals, the drug industry–a whole panoply of players. It’s the bureaucracy to enforce inequality and extract profits that drives up the cost, and then, to a lesser extent, the profits themselves.

Corporate interests themselves may play a role. For employers, rising health care costs are a cost of production. Hence, some may be motivated to support national health insurance even against their interest in being able to deny health care to striking workers, low-wage workers and so on.

Bill Clinton became president partly because he promised to do something about rising health care costs. Although Clinton’s chances of reforming the US health care system looked quite good at first, the effort soon ran aground. Since then a combination of factors—the unwillingness of other politicians to confront the insurance and other lobbies that so successfully frustrated the Clinton effort, a temporary remission in the growth of health care spending as HMOs briefly managed to limit cost increases, and the general distraction of a nation focused first on the gloriousness of getting rich, then on terrorism—have kept health care off the top of the agenda.

But medical costs are once again rising rapidly, forcing health care back into political prominence. Indeed, the problem of medical costs is so pervasive that it underlies three quite different policy crises. First is the increasingly rapid unraveling of employer- based health insurance. Second is the plight of Medicaid, an increasingly crucial program that is under both fiscal and political attack. Third is the long-term problem of the federal government’s solvency, which is, as we’ll explain, largely a problem of health care costs.

A free market and competition are good for some products and services, like pizza parlors and auto mechanics, but absolutely atrocious for others. However, the government provides education, fire protection, and all kinds of other basic needs for our country. The right to live a healthy life is one of those fundamental rights, and the private sector is failing us miserably and making a profit off of patient’s misery and death. Its clear that the United States is in need of complete “overhaul” of the current profit driven system.

Dr. Mark Stout,
Dean of Distance Education,
St. Augustine Medical Assistant School Online
http://www.medassistant.org

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Stout