State and Federal Government in Healthcare Case Study

Introduction

The influence of state boards on the healthcare system is natural and logical since this sphere, as a rule, is financed from the budget allocated by the government. Throughout the history of US healthcare, various laws have been adopted that have had a direct impact on measures to provide medical services to the population. The influence of the federal and state government on this sphere was significant in different decades, but different laws were adopted and, accordingly, different results were manifested.

The Role of Federal and State Government in Healthcare in the 1960s

The 1960s of the 20th century were a turning point in the history of US healthcare. Until this time, as Young and Kroth (2017) remark, most doctors practiced individually and did not work in teams. However, technological progress manifested itself, and working responsibility became higher, which prompted many physicians to move away from private practice and start working in clinics. One of the main events of this era was the emergence of a special Medicaid program that became one of the first laws implying medical insurance as an indispensable element of life. This law worked for many years and was a clear reflection of the government’s participation in the sphere of medical services.

The Role of Federal and State Government in Healthcare in the 1970s

The following decade passed under the sign of compulsory medical insurance for all. Nevertheless, according to Jacobs and Skocpol (2015), this period cannot be called successful because of the crisis, and despite the efforts of federal and state authorities to control the healthcare sector through the introduction of new taxes, little effective measures were taken. The impact was rather negative than positive.

The Role of Federal and State Government in Healthcare in the 1980s

The 1980s became a time of taking more active measures compared with the previous decade. As Edelman, Mandle, and Kudzma (2017) claim, the term “health promotion” first appeared, and this time was a period of successful interventions at the federal and state levels (p. 11). The government “supported free-market competition among insurance plans,” which was the reflection of the authorities’ interest (Edelman et al., 2017, p. 63).

The Role of Today’s Federal and State Government in Healthcare

The current government involvement in the healthcare system is significant. One of the primary events of recent years is the introduction of the new Medicare program that is an improvement in the previously introduced Medicaid. It also defines the order of medical insurance as one of the essential aspects of life (Altman & Frist, 2015). At the present stage, the federal and state authorities monitor compliance with the provisions of relevant acts and actively use all possible resources to ensure effective and professional medical service.

Possible Outcomes in Case of Less Government’s Involvement

In case the influence of federal and state boards on the healthcare system is decreased, it can be fraught with dangerous consequences. For example, the financing of the necessary spheres of medicine can stop, which will lead to problems. Also, certain clinics may work with obsolete equipment since the authorities will not know about the need for replacement. Reducing the impact can hardly be considered a successful outcome, and the risk in such an area as medicine should not exist.

Conclusion

Thus, the impact of the federal and state government on the sphere of healthcare is significant in different decades, but this impact was not positive all the time. Particular laws and programs greatly influenced this sphere of life. The involvement of the authorities in the healthcare system is logical and correct, and in case of the lack of attention to this area, serious and dangerous consequences may appear.

References

Altman, D., & Frist, W. H. (2015). Medicare and Medicaid at 50 years: Perspectives of beneficiaries, health care professionals and institutions, and policymakers. JAMA, 314(4), 384-395.

Edelman, C. L., Mandle, C. L., & Kudzma, E. C. (2017). Health promotion throughout the life span (9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Health Sciences.

Jacobs, L., & Skocpol, T. (2015). Health care reform and American politics: What everyone needs to know (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Young, K. M., & Kroth, P. J. (2017). Sultz & Young’s health care USA: Understanding its organization and delivery (9th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.