Introduction
The peculiarities of the US health insurance system have always been a contentious issue since much controversy arises regarding certain provisions of the existing policy. For example, access to some medical services is not very easy to obtain. Nevertheless, there is another point of view: the government healthcare program is aimed at providing high-quality medical services, and some ambiguous questions are conventions that cannot be avoided. Therefore, it is required to pay attention to two possible opinions and determine the scope of the government boards’ responsibility.
Two Competing Solutions
It is possible to pay attention to some features of the current policy to find a way to effectively solve the problem of access to health insurance. For instance, according to Sommers et al., “there is also strong evidence that coverage expansion increases access to preventive services, which can directly maintain or improve health” (588). In other words, more active actions with regard to preventive measures aimed at ensuring public health can significantly improve the situation in the country. It can be achieved by free vaccination, available preventive drugs, etc.
However, there is another way to solve the problem with access to insurance. The example of the Australian authorities demonstrates that it is possible to try to solve the problem of financing the considered public sector by cutting premiums to insurers (Davey). Such an approach is perhaps too radical and abrupt, and the employees of these services remained unhappy with this decision. Nevertheless, this measure will reduce the state’s spending on the organization of insurance funds and significantly save budget funds.
Preferable Solution
Ensuring the availability of preventive treatment methods is probably the preferred way to address the issue. Those people who do not have an opportunity to pay for insurance services and choose an appropriate fare should be able to count on at least a preventive package of measures against dangerous diseases, as well as free physicians’ consultations. According to Keehan et al., the insured share of the American population is likely to increase by approximately 0.6% by 2025 (553). It will improve the health of the population and will be an effective measure against the additional costs of combating viral epidemics.
Responsibilities of the Government
The federal government is responsible for ensuring the normal operation of the terms of the current legislation with respect to the health insurance policy. The authorities in the states monitor that the medical institutions under their supervision comply with the established procedure for providing help. In separate localities, local authorities monitor the activities of medical and nursing staff and are the guarantor of the quality of assistance to those citizens who apply. Despite such a hierarchical system, the central control is still carried out by the federal government.
The responsibility of the executive branch is to consider and timely intervene in the terms of the current policy. The task of the legislative board is to discuss possible innovations and changes in the existing order of providing services in order to improve the system. Finally, the judicial branch is the board for the execution of punishments and the imposition of judicial responsibility on those who do not comply with the terms of the current policy. Effective interaction among these three branches will allow achieving the most high-quality health services in the country and the health of citizens.
Conclusion
Thus, the federal responsibility for the health insurance system is a priority. The decision in favor of providing freer access to services will increase the level of public health. The state will spend less money on disease control if timely preventive measures are taken.
Works Cited
Davey, Melissa. “Doctors Call for Plan to Keep Private Health Insurance Premiums down.”The Guardian, 2018. Web.
Keehan, Sean P., et al. “National Health Expenditure Projections, 2016-25: Price Increases, Aging Push Sector to 20 Percent of Economy.” Health Affairs, vol. 36, no. 3, 2017, pp. 553-563.
Sommers, Benjamin D., et al. “Health Insurance Coverage and Health – What the Recent Evidence Tells Us.” The New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 377, no. 6, 2017, pp. 586-593.