Health care delivery system organization and structure

Healthcare Reform: Recommendations and Analysis

Wells Fargo Small Business Roundup vs. The Physicians Working Group (PWG)

According to the privately-run bank Wells Fargo's website that supports small business interests, universal single-payer health insurance is not feasible in the United States. Unsurprisingly, the bank wants as little government intervention as possible. "To the greatest extent possible, Americans should receive their health insurance and health care through the private sector. One-size-fits-all insurance and care are not wise options in a nation of 300 million people. We need better health care delivery models, financial management systems and risk-sharing arrangements" (Wells Fargo Small Business Roundup, 2008, Reforming health care reform). However, the Physicians Working Group (PWG) counters that the simplicity of the universal payer system and its effectiveness of achieving universal coverage has its advantages. "Administrative costs would undoubtedly be much lower than they are now, although it is a mistake to think that low administrative costs are always conducive to low overall cost" (Fuchs & Emanuel 2005)

Analysis: President Obama has not adopted universal, single payer system along the lines of the Canadian and United Kingdom healthcare systems.

Recommendation 2: The Houston Chronicle

Although Texas is widely known as a bastion of 'individual rights' and a distrust of government intervention, the editorial board of the Houston Chronicle stated that some form of universal coverage is necessary, given the millions of uninsured Americans. The current system leaves "millions of Americans and 25% of Texans with no insurance" (Universal care: The United States' system of health care delivery is inadequate, broken and needs to be replaced, 2007, The Houston Chronicle).

Analysis: In response to this President Obama created what has become known as the individual mandate, the mandate that all Americans obtain health insurance, either through their employer, the government, or purchasing insurance. President Obama also broadened existing coverage by expanding Medicare (state and federal government-run health insurance program for the poor); allowing children to be on their parent's insurance for longer periods of time; strengthening consumer protections against insurance cancellations, and preventing discrimination based on pre-existing conditions (Key features of the law, 2009, healthcare.gov). This compromise solution allows Americans who are satisfied with their health insurance to keep their coverage, while addressing the critical need for all Americans to be insured. The administration also aspires to create affordable insurance exchanges, in which people looking for affordable care could look for and compare private health plans (Key features of the law, 2009, healthcare.gov).

Recommendation 3: The Houston Chronicle