Decentralization In Healthcare

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The United States has been regarded as one of the most medically advanced nation in the world. Using the cutting-edge medical technology, the Unites States have cured many diseases other countries cannot. The United States spends largest amount of budget per gross domestic product compared to other developed countries. However, recent statistics have indicated that the United States are not managing the public’s health as many people thought. According to Maurer and Smith, life expectancy in the United States are shorter than most developed countries while infant mortality rate is higher (2013, p.57). These statistics are indicative of how the United States have lacked in developing a cost-effective health care system. There are multiple reasons…show more content…
However, such decentralization lead to the ineffective management of the health care system as a whole (Maurer & Smith, 2013, p.56). Second reason is the United States’ traditional economic philosophy of Laissez-Faire. Once again, this is closely related to the concept of decentralization, as founding fathers were not fond of government intervention for the market. With minimal government intervention, a free market is established. In this free market, each entities can serve whomever they want, using whatever method they deem necessary. Without rules to regulate the cost, the cost of health care is up to the health care provider’s discretion. Ultimately, the economically disadvantaged groups were unable to afford all of the health care services needed for their condition (Maurer & Smith, 2013, p.56). The third reason is lack of health planning. Due to decentralization and Laissez-Faire philosophy, the United States lack a strong central government to plan and execute a long-term health care plan. Some may argue that the federal government is active in outlining a long-term health planning. However, compared to other developed countries, the federal government is passive. For instance, the health planning by the federal…show more content…
These components are organizational structure, financial mechanisms, resources, management and oversight, health services, and the consumers. The organizational structure consist two major sectors of public and private. These two sectors work together to improve the public health. The financial mechanism is how the health care is paid; an example could be the public insurance. The management and oversight is a distinctive component as this is closely related to the decentralization and Laissez-Faire philosophy. Unlike other nations with centralized government agency evaluating the system, multiple government agencies and private organizations evaluate the system. The resources is a wide range component that includes personnel, facilities, and supplies; resources play a crucial role in effective functioning of the overall system. Health services are the product of the health care system, the system must provide a high quality, patient-centered care to its clients. Finally, the consumer is the recipient of the health care services. All of the cares should be tailored to meet the client’s needs since the client is the weakest link in the health care system (Maurer & Smith, 2013, p.63). Some people argue that client’s needs should be secondary objective. However, considering the whole purpose of developing a health care system is to promote wellness, one should always put

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