Medicare Disparities In Healthcare

A healthcare disparity is a limitation of healthcare availability, usually among a certain racial or socioeconomic demographic (Black, 2013). However, there are disparities that don’t have a specific demographic and affect the entirety of the United States, which are potentially most detrimental to the overall health of our country. One of those disparities is health literacy, or the exchange of complex information from the healthcare provider to the patient or client (Black, 2013). The lack of health literacy in America poses as a problem, especially with the chronically ill. Without proper knowledge of how to treat their illness and what to do when the disease process worsens or ameliorates can potentially cause millions of unnecessary hospitalizations,

As an oncologist at Grady Memorial, an inner-city hospital located in Atlanta, Dr. Brawley witnesses the disastrous effects of healthcare disparity first-hand. Healthcare disparities are vast differences in quality and access to care between socioeconomic classes. "health care disparities refer to differences in health and health care between population groups. Disparities occur across many dimensions, including race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, location, gender, disability status, and sexual orientation "(KFF, 2016). As Brawley describes to us, Grady is a hospital that demonstrates health disparity at its worst. Brawley describes Grady as " a monument to racism, Racism is built into it, as is poverty, as is despair." (Brawley, 2011).

With this increased research and effort, Americans would be able to intervene and make positive impacts with the state, tribal, and local levels to best address health disparities and inequalities. In efforts to thwart ethnic and minority disparities, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) passed the HHS Disparities Action Plan in order to establish “a nation free of disparities in health and health care, (Cooper 97)” and to implement a series of priorities, strategies, actions, and goals to achieve this vision. States, local communities, private organizations, and providers have additionally engaged in efforts to reduce health disparities. With the HHS Disparities Action Plan, the Department continuously assess policies and programs on racial and ethnic health disparities, watching to see which policies make an impact on the level of health care received by minorities. Similarly, The Affordable Care Act (ACA) health coverage expansions significantly increase coverage options for low and moderate income populations and particularly benefit the “vulnerable populations.” The ACA also includes provisions to strengthen the safety-net delivery system, improve

Healthcare disparities within racial minority groups are an ongoing issue in the United States. Factors that affect these disparities are overall quality of care, access to healthcare, and access to insurance. Numerous efforts have been made to decrease the access and quality of care for minorities. The current intervention being used is the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This act was initiated by President Obama in 2010 and has had much controversy in the past years. The main arguments are the ACA increasing the taxes for Americans and the fact that all Americans must obtain insurance if proper funds are available. In 2014 the ACA Medicaid expanded and each state had the opportunity to expand if the state believed it appropriate. Out of the 50

Medicare and Medicaid assist 111 million individuals of which 10 million individuals are qualified for both programs. By 2025, that number will increase to 139 million individuals. Medicare beneficiaries receive $23,500 for a medium income and Medicaid beneficiaries receive $15,000 (Altman & Frist, 2015). Both programs combined comprise of “39% of national health spending, account for 23% of the federal budget, and generate 43% of hospital revenues” (Altman & Frist, 2015). These programs are predicted to increase by 3.7% each year. Since the two programs affect many individuals, any changes to the programs can shake election turn-out votes. The toughest health policy surrounding Medicare and Medicaid today is whether the programs should remain entitlements.

Disparities in health and health care in the United States have been a longstanding challenge resulting in some groups receiving less and lower quality health care than others and experiencing poorer health outcomes. Hispanics, Blacks, American Indians/Alaska Natives, and low-income individuals are more likely to be uninsured relative to Whites and those with higher incomes. Low-income individuals and people of color also face increased barriers to accessing care, receive poorer quality care, and experience worse health outcomes. The Department of Health and Human Services Disparities Action Plan (HHS) sets out a series of priorities, strategies, actions, and goals to achieve a vision of a nation free of disparities in health and health care.

Race/ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic position are social determinants that lead to disparities in healthcare. Despite declining death rates, African Americans have consistently had higher mortality rates than Whites. For example, breast cancer is more prevalent in whites however the incidence of mortality from breast cancer is higher in black women. Black women are also likely to have more advanced cancer at the time of diagnosis than their White peers. Williams (2002) proposes that racial categories are more alike than different in terms of biological characteristics and genetics. Furthermore, they do not capture patterns of genetic variation. Thus, it is not biologically reasonable for genetic differences alone to play a major role

Within the United States some populations groups face greater challenges then the general public with being able to access needed health care services in a timely fashion. These populations are at a greater risk for poor physical, psychological, and social health. The correct term would be underserved populations or medically disadvantaged. They are at a disadvantaged for many reason such as socioeconomic status, health, and geographic conditions. Within these groups are the racial and ethnic minorities, uninsured children, women, rural area residents, mentally ill, chronic illness and the disabled. These groups experience greater barriers in access to care, financing of care, and cultural acceptance. Addressing these

There are vulnerable groups that have significant problems in the health care system, due to this population being made vulnerable because of their financial circumstances or place of residence, health, age, race, mental or physical state. Access to health care across different populations are the main reason for current disparities in the United States health care system. Moreover, with a large amount attention being given to racial disparities in health, the meaning of race has come under increased scientific examination. (Sondik, 1997) Consequently, race remains to be one of the most politically charged topics in American life, because it's linked to sociocultural element often has led to classifications that have been ambiguous and improperly

The program is unfortunately similar to VA health care veterans receive. For example most facilities are overcrowded, patients have trouble getting necessary treatment, making appointments, even emergency wait room times are exceedingly high. Patients have even died from being shuffled from department to department while waiting for treatment (Sickly Service 2014) & (Katerine 2000). All of these issues come down to funding. Currently, the United States federal budget includes $5.1 billion for the IHS to support and expand the provision of health care services and public health programs for American Indians and Alaska Natives. This is after funding was cut by 800 million in 2013. Additionally, there is currently a proposition to cut another 300 million by 2019. With this budget, and a provision of health benefits to 2.5 million Native Americans and Alaskan Natives that must be provided. It comes down to an average cost per patient of less than $3,000, far less than the average cost of $7,700 healthcare nationally, or for the other major federal health programs like Medicaid of $6,200 or Medicare of $12,000 (NCAI

Americans seek healthcare to prevent, diagnose and treat most diseases. However many Americans do not get the coverage or practices that are guaranteed by the doctors oath. Insurance plays a major role on the type of care a person receives. It can also effect the type of medications prescribed by a doctor. The type of care can depend on if the individual seeking care has insurance or if they go to the community clinic for free healthcare.

According to an article in the Health Affairs Journal there are approximately 60 million American citizens covered by state based Medicaid and Medicare programs. These individuals are at the highest risk of facing chronic health issues and has issues with their ability to access quality health care services. Low income seniors and adults with disabilities make up the vulnerable population within the United States. These individuals are the sickest and poorest individuals within the community and are dually eligible for government assisted health programs, Medicaid and Medicare. Based on an article written by Rostai, Russell, Peng, Brickner, Kurowski, and Sheehan, within today’s society, caring for the vulnerable population is fragmented,

According to the New York Times, the Southwest and Central regions of the United States have more areas of Medicaid (White, J. 2012) and there is more income support going to these areas as well (White, J. 2012). Certain studies have even shown that an individual’s socioeconomic status cane affect their healthcare (Arpey, N.2017). In one study, 80 Medicaid enrolled patients said they feel like they have had worse healthcare (Arpey, N. 2017). With the fast growing concerns of increased prices of medications and less effectiveness with healthcare quality based on socioeconomic statuses, our

The healthcare workers providing assistance to the American Indian population today are most likely non-Natives (Warne, 2007). The cultural knowledge of these providers for the American Indian is not vast and results in less quality care. More

There is a lackage of studies that discussed the health disparities and social justice that influence on diabetes type 2 in Saudi Arabia, so I will discuss the issue from my experience as public healthcare provider. The Indian workers who came from their countries to work 10 to 12 hours daily and receive low salaries that will not be enough for their daily activities, but the employers are provided them with accommodation, one meal, work-injury hospitalization, and transportation. Consequently, the workers may live in poverty because they can’t go for shopping, pay bills for mobile, eat extra meals, or visit hospitals. The Indian employees will suffer from health disparities and social injustice, which are the logic outcome for their type of living and will lead to deferral of diabetes diagnosis, less screening, and difficulty in accessing the healthcare to get frequent management. According to the employers, they refuse to pay for regular medical insurance for their workers due to their poor salaries.