Healthcare: RWFJ Blueprint of Change Essay

Introduction

RWJF Blueprint for change is a plan to revive the health care system of America. There are six points in the plan, and among them, two points, namely, coverage of the health insurance and improvement in the quality, value, and equality are presented here. Then the response of employers to RWFJ is also summed up.

Two points of RWJF Blueprint

The health care system of America is broken and a number of its citizens are not covered by health insurance. The quality of health care is very low and there is racial disparity in health care. Several steps have been taken by the government to ensure the health of all persons in the country. One program for the revival of the health sector is RWJF Blueprint for Change. It includes six points. They are “cover the uninsured, improve the quality, value, and equality of health care, bring down spending, prevent disease and promote healthier lifestyles, strengthen public health’s capacity to protect our health and address the social determinants of health.” (But covering the uninsured alone will not solve what’s ailing the healthcare system, n.d., p.3).

• Cover the uninsured: One of the important principles in the RWJF Blueprint for change is to promote health insurance to everyone. “Largely because of rising costs, 47 million people in this wealthy and powerful country—including 8.7 million children—have no health coverage at all.” (Healthcare facts, 2009, para.1). Assessing this fact, RWJF Blueprint tries to provide health insurance. Because of the rise in the premium of insurance, employers are reluctant to meet the coverage of employees’ insurance. Most adults do not have health insurance in America. Women and children also lack health insurance; this directly affects the health of the people. So, this is an important step in the RWJF blueprint for change.
• Improve the quality, value, and equality of health care: The main challenges in the health care system of America are less quality, disparity, and unequal health care promotion. “Disparities of race, ethnicity, residence, education, and income are as universal as coverage is not.” (But covering the uninsured alone will not solve what’s ailing the healthcare system, n.d., p.3).

America pays more than any other country in the world for the health care system, but they get back the worst health care delivery among the developed nations. Therefore, this step also is significant in the revival of the health care system of the country.

Responses of employers to RWJF Blueprint for change

“Nearly two-thirds of Americans under age 65 obtain health insurance through the workplace.” (McLaughlin, 2001, para.1). But, an increase in the cost of premium of health insurance is the cause of reluctance for health insurance coverage of employees. It becomes a burden for the employers. Employers are supporting the ‘RWJF blueprint for change’ to cover the health insurance of employees. Massachusetts employers are doing excellent work to provide health insurance for the employees. “Between 2007 and 2008, the percentage of Massachusetts firms with three or more workers offering coverage increased from 73 percent to 79 percent. Compared to a sample of U.S. firms, Massachusetts employers were less likely to indicate future termination of coverage or restriction of eligibility for health benefits due to reform requirements.” (Colby, 2009, What researchers found, para.1).

Insurance coverage for all employees in the context of increasing premium costs is a challenge for employers. Even though they give insurance coverage, the employees are forced to give a high amount as their share. A manager has to address these two points wherever he goes to design some programs and services. Health care is an important aspect of everyone’s life irrespective of age, sex, and region. If the company has to make use of the productivity of the employees, their health should be protected. Therefore, whatever may be the program, the manager has to be attentive towards the health problem. The two important points are insurance coverage of the employees and quality of care provided to the employees.

Conclusion

This paper has presented two of the points included in the RWFJ Blueprint of change. Coverage of health insurance and improving health care quality are important steps to restore the broken health care system. This paper also gives focuses on the responses of the employers on these two points.

Reference List

But covering the uninsured alone will not solve what’s ailing the healthcare system: RWJF blueprint for change. (n.d.). Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: 2008 Annual Report. Web.

But covering the uninsured alone will not solve what’s ailing the healthcare system: RWJF blueprint for change: Improve the quality, value and equality of healthcare. (n.d.). Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: 2008 Annual Report. Web.

Colby, D C. (2009). Publications and research: After the mandates: Massachusetts employers continue to support health reform as more firms offer coverage: What researchers found. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Web.

Healthcare facts. (2009). Healthcare Can’t Wait, AFL-CIO. Web.

McLaughlin, C G. (2001). Employers as agents for their employees-health insurance coverage. BNet: The Go-to Place for Management. Web.