Healthcare policy solutions for Congresswoman Moody's district

¶ … Treatment for Emergency Medical Conditions and Women in Labor healthcare system is at a tipping point. This is because facilities are facing rising costs and they must provide services to individuals who are poor or undocumented. These factors are having an adverse impact on the available services in Congresswoman Moody's district. To create a workable solution she must do something that is within her power and consistent with her values. These objectives will be achieved by looking at the options available, the criteria that is used to evaluate them and the pros / cons. Together; these areas will highlight the best choices for addressing the different problems inside the Congresswoman's district. (Anderson, 2011) (Davidson, 2010)

Identify 3-5 options for Congresswoman Moody's consideration

There are a total of three options which are available to deal with the underlying challenges impacting Moody's district. The most notable include: bringing in non-profits to work with the number of poor / undocumented immigrants, establishing for profit private facilities and seeking out some kind of grants for additional funding in those who are dealing with Medicare / Medicaid patients. In the case of bringing in non-profits, they can provide equipment and volunteers who will help the poor and undocumented immigrants to receive affordable healthcare. This can be achieved through forming various community clinics. They are focused on preventive medicine and have lower costs for the patients to receive support. In the event, the individual has more serious challenges. They will be referred to a special facility where another nonprofit could help them. (Anderson, 2011) (Davidson, 2010)

The establishment of private facilities that do not accept Medicare or Medicaid will help to keep them economically viable and ensure that those with insurance can receive low cost solutions. This will allow the wealthy and affluent to receive the services they require inside the community. The ability to seek out grants for those who are having challenges with Medicare and Medicaid will alleviate the burden on these facilities. This will reduce their losses and it will provide them with an additional source of funding for their operation. (Anderson, 2011) (Davidson, 2010)

Identify pros and cons for each option

1. Bringing in non-profits to work with the number of poor / undocumented immigrants: The benefits are that costs will decrease and many of the most vulnerable will receive added assistance. The biggest challenges will be in maintaining these programs over the long-term and convincing these organizations to make this kind of commitment. (Shi, 2009) (Tate, 2012)

2. Establishing for profit private facilities: This will offer other segments in the community with alternative choices and it will allow certain facilities to specialize. However, the costs for running these entities will become more expensive and could shutout the poor / undocumented. (Shi, 2009) (Tate, 2012)

3. Seeking out grants for additional funding in those who are dealing with Medicare / Medicaid patients: This will provide short to medium term benefits for these organizations. However, there will need to focus every single year on finding new grants and ensuring that they have a continue sources of funding. There is also the possibility that costs could continue to skyrocket for Medicare / Medicaid given the fiscal challenges. This means that these facilities might face budget shortfalls at some point in the future. (Shi, 2009) (Tate, 2012)

Use a side-by-side table (MS (r) Excel (r) would be appropriate for this) to assist in analyzing the options.

Options

Pros

Cons

Bringing in non-profits to work with the number of poor / undocumented immigrants

The poor / undocumented will receive better care and support.

Many non-profits could choose to go in other directions. This will require having several others who are lined up in order to continue with the program.

Establishing for profit private facilities

There will be increased profitability, more specialization and customized services.

There will be certain groups from the poor and undocumented who are priced out of these facilities.

Seeking out grants for additional funding in those who are dealing with Medicare / Medicaid patients

There will be increased funding and support to deal with the lower profit margins.

Grants only last for a certain amount of time. This will require seeking out a variety of different ones to meet these objectives.