Global Effects
Though healthcare reforms have been evident in most parts of the world, there has been no country that has experienced more dramatic healthcare reforms than the United States (US) (Dranove, 2003, p. 1). These healthcare reforms have been driven by economic considerations. Healthcare reforms have shifted from several individualized interactions between patients and physicians to a more complicated interaction among physicians, clients, corporate bodies and even the government. This interconnection has led to a globalized system of healthcare known as managed care (Dranove, 2003, p. 1). This phenomenon has not only been evidenced in America. Several countries and continents across the globe, including Europe, Australia, and New Zealand have witnessed this evolution. Managed care is also advanced to be part of the solution for healthcare reforms in developing countries. Developed countries have however initiated these healthcare changes. For instance, the United Kingdom (UK) initiated these changes in the 90s (Dranove, 2003, p. 1). However, the most important aspect of the evolution lies in understanding the reasons for these changes and comprehending the possible merits and demerits of such policy changes.
Recommendations for Improvement
Key Players
Stakeholders in the healthcare reform process, seek to gain or lose from the healthcare reforms. To develop useful policy changes, these stakeholders need to be consulted. Healthcare insurers are among the biggest stakeholders in the healthcare sector because they are strategic to guaranteeing the economics of healthcare (Beutler, 2009, p. 1). Pharmaceutical research and manufacturers are also important stakeholders in the healthcare sector because they are probably the strongest financially equipped stakeholder group and therefore they need to be onboard in effecting healthcare reforms. Particularly, this healthcare group is strategic in financing reform legislations because they have a strong financial power. The AARP also needs to be considered as an important stakeholder group because they can ensure effective healthcare reforms are instituted (Beutler, 2009, p. 1). The elderly are especially an important voting group which is likely to support healthcare reforms if they are consulted. Moreover, they constitute the most widely expanding population group in the developed world. Moreover, they are very skeptical to reform (Beutler, 2009, p. 1). The American Hospital Association and the American medical association also needs to be consulted in equal regard.
Best Practices
The best practices in ensuring sustainable healthcare reforms are hinged on improving healthcare quality and reducing healthcare costs. Though the economy is becoming increasing unstable, it is also growing, and it is imperative for all healthcare stakeholders to ensure there is a healthy competition among all healthcare service providers for the improvement of healthcare services (Brianzech, 2010). Protecting positive margins and ensuring healthcare service providers realize profitability is also another way of ensuring there is efficiency in the healthcare sector.
Global Implications
The global implications of healthcare improvements range from economics to healthcare inequality issues. However, it has been affirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO) that healthcare economics bring about the greatest inequalities in healthcare service provision (WHO, 2011, p. 1). If the economics of healthcare is right, it will therefore be easy to provide equal access to healthcare for all. The improvement of healthcare reforms will also institute ethical practices in the healthcare industry and most importantly, it will set the standards for global healthcare practices. Apart from this fact, there is a high likelihood that, countries which still lag in healthcare reform will also borrow from countries which have achieved commendable healthcare reforms. The US for example has borrowed a leaf from other industrialized countries in instituting a universal healthcare reform policy.
References
Beutler, B. (2009). Influential Players: How Six Big Stakeholders Shaped Health Care. Web.
Brianzech. (2010). Best Practices in Healthcare Cost Containment Seminar. Web.
Dranove, D. (2003). The Economic Evolution of American Health Care: From Marcus Welby to Managed Care. Web.
WHO. (2011). Global Health Improvement and WHO: Shaping the Future. Web.