The U.S. health care delivery system is often described as a kaleidoscope, puzzle, or patchwork quilt—descriptions that emphasize the fact that health care delivery in this country involves multiple, loosely coordinated components, and does not function through one integrated system. The organization and structure of this “system” have a tremendous impact on the delivery of services. As such, health care professionals, consumers, advocates, and policy makers face tough choices with regard to health care costs, quality, and access.

To prepare for this Application Assignment:

• Consider how the structure and organization of the U.S. health care system affects delivery of services.
• Reflect on the interrelationships between and among health care costs, quality, and access in this country.
• Bring to mind a specific example that illustrates potential trade-offs.

To complete this Application Assignment, write a 1- to 2-page paper that addresses a specific situation or issue that illustrates the trade-offs involved in decisions related to cost, quality, and access. Be sure that your paper includes answers to the following questions:

• How could current and future efforts to contain costs affect quality and access?
• How might measures to ensure the provision of high-quality care influence costs and accessibility?
• How could efforts to promote universal access to care impact cost and quality?
• How can the structure and organization of the U.S. health care delivery system bring about or impact cost, quality, and access to health care.

Be sure to support your work with specific citations from this week’s Learning Resources and additional scholarly sources as appropriate. Refer to the Essential Guide to APA Style for Walden Students to ensure that your in-text citations and reference list are correct.

Required Resources

Media

• Video: Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Context of health care delivery. Baltimore: Author.

  Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 12 minutes.

  In this media program, health care experts will introduce the topics to be discussed in this course. Dr. Jeffrey Levi offers insight into the patchwork system of health care in this country. Dr. Donald Arthur explains the critical balance between cost, quality, and access to health care. Todd Linden describes how health care is financed and Dr. Donald Berwick explains the six dimensions of quality in health care.

  Note: As a reminder, additional Learning Resources for the week are listed below the Media Player. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the web page to view the complete list of Required and Optional Resources.

To view this video, click on “Watch the Full Program Online.” Five separate videos present the health care systems of Great Britain, Japan, Germany, Taiwan, and Switzerland and compare each to the U.S. health care system. The videos are required for the Discussion posting this week.

Readings

• Course Introduction (located in the left navigation bar)
• Course Text: Kovner, A. R., Knickman, J., & Jonas, S. (Eds.). (2011). Jonas and Kovner’s health care delivery in the United States (Laureate Education, custom ed.). New York: Springer Publishing Company.
• • Chapter 1, “The Current U.S. Healthcare System”

    Chapter 1 describes the defining characteristics of the U.S. health care system as well as the major issues and concerns facing the health sector. Content also highlights the key importance of leadership for a strong health care system.

  • Chapter 1a, “An Overview of Charts”

    Chapter 1a offers a high level overview of healthcare organizations and how they are financed. The material should be reviewed for a high level understanding rather than a detailed analysis.

  • Chapter 4, “Comparative Health Systems”

    Chapter 4 examines the evolution of health care policies of multiple industrialized countries and compares these policies to the U.S. health care system.

• e-Book: Institute of Medicine. (2001). Crossing the quality chasm: A new health system for the 21st century. Retrieved fromhttp://site.ebrary.com/lib/waldenu/docDetail.action?docID=10032412 

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