Organizational Systems and Quality Leadership Task 3

1 Task 3 Organizational Systems and Quality Leadership 2 Task 3 A1. I chose to compare the United States healthcare system with Great Britain’s healthcare system. A2. When looking at The United States and Great Britain, the biggest difference in comparison is, The United States does not have universal healthcare coverage and Great Britain does. There are a variety of healthcare options in the United States. Many Americans have health insurance coverage through their employer. Options for those who do not have employer-sponsored insurance could be, Medicare, Medicaid, the Child Health Insurance Program, as well as Veterans Benefits. Medicare ensures a universal right to health care persons age sixty-five and older as well as individuals under the age of sixty-five with long-term disabilities. Medicaid is a state-based program that allows low-income families, and individuals with disabilities to qualify for insurance. The Children’s Health Insurance Program was created to allow low-income families, who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid to receive healthcare benefits. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was voted into law in 2010, which was the largest expansion to date of the government’s role in financing and regulating healthcare in the United States. Components of the law’s major coverage expansions implemented in 2014 included: requiring most Americans to obtain health insurance or pay a penalty, allowing young people to remain on their parents’ private plans until age 26, opening health insurance marketplaces or exchanges and expanding Medicaid eligibility. (International Health Care System Profiles, 2020). Great Britain residents are automatically entitled to free public health care through the National Health Service. This is paid for by the general tax dollars. This coverage is available for all citizens; children, those retired, those with disabilities as well as those who are unemployed. (AIMS Education, 2015). A2a. In the United States, medication coverage is generally part of the individual’s healthcare plan. The co-payments are assessed based on the type of medication and what the specific plan covers. Individuals may also be able to obtain common medications at a lower cost of three to four 3 Task 3 dollars at specific pharmacies regardless of insurance coverage. In Great Britain, medications are covered by the National Health Service. (International Health Care System Profiles, 2020) A2b. In the United States some insurance policies may require a referral by the individuals primary care provider to see a specialist and the copay may be a higher cost, where other policies may not require a referral at all. In Great Britain, the government has introduced the right to choose a particular specialist within a hospital. Most outpatient specialist consults take place in hospitals, although a small amount take place in general practices. (International Health Care System Profiles, 2016). A2c. With the help of the Affordable Care Act, in the United States, medical coverage cannot be denied based off pre-existing conditions with the exception of plans that were in place prior to March 23, 2010. “Health insurance plans that started on or before March 23, 2010, are not subject to the rules of Obamacare.” (International Health Care System Profiles, 2016). In Great Britain, preexisting conditions are covered under the National Health Service. A3. In the United States, an individual who does not have health care coverage will be responsible for one hundred percent of the services received. In Great Britain, individuals are covered under the National Health Service, so any services received are covered. Therefore, individuals may be less likely to seek medical treatment if they do not have health care coverage.