Health for Life: Better Health, Better Healthcare, Coursework Example

The version of the healthcare system that is described supports a slightly altered version of the Affordable Care Act that emphasizes its strengths but minimizes its weaknesses regarding consumer needs. Most importantly, this version emphasizes the importance of enabling consumers to gain greater access to the services that they require and to be cognizant of preventive care and other tools that support health and wellbeing, while achieving economic stability (American Hospital Association, 2014). It is important for consumers to gain access to the services that they need and to be aware of the benefits of preventive care in overcoming chronic disease and other conditions that impact millions of Americans in different ways (Knickman & Kovner, 2011).

Due to the challenging economic nature of healthcare systems throughout the world, it is evident that the United States must continue to explore its options with respect to access to insurance and resources to ensure its overall longevity and growth as a nation (Tanner, 2008). This process requires a strategy that aims to support consumers and improve their health through preventive care and other resources used to accommodate patients effectively to improve long-term health and wellbeing. The perspective must consider the role of healthcare practice as a viable opportunity to engage patients and provide comprehensive care and treatment on a continuous level through the adequacy of insurance coverage for patients.  There must continue to be a greater focus on the importance of access to resources to improve overall health and to drive the prevention and/or management of chronic diseases for millions of Americans (National Center for Health Statistics, 2012). In this context, healthcare providers must be able to offer consumers a variety of tools and resources to improve their health through insurance-based coverage and preventive care measures that will be sustainable, supportive, and nurturing over time.

References

American Hospital Association, 2014. Health for Life: Better Health, Better Healthcare. Retrieved from www.aha.org/healthforlife (Links to an external site.).

Knickman, J., & Kovner, A. (2011). The future of health care delivery in the United States. In A. Kovner & J. Knickman (Eds), Health Care Delivery in the United States 10th ed. (pp. 353-364). New York, NY: Springer

National Center for Health Statistics (US. (2012). Health, United States, 2011: With special feature on socioeconomic status and health.

Tanner, M. (2008). The grass is not always greener: a look at national health care systems around the world. Policy Analysis No. 613 (pp. 1-3).