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300.651.11
Introduction to the U.S. Healthcare System

Location
East Baltimore
Term
Summer Institute
Department
Health Policy and Management
Credit(s)
4
Academic Year
2013 - 2014
Instruction Method
TBD
Start Date
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
End Date
Friday, June 21, 2013
Class Time(s)
Tu, W, Th, F, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Auditors Allowed
No
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
One Year Only
Next Offered
Only offered in 2013
Description
Focuses on the organization, financing, and delivery of healthcare in the U.S. Contrasts the private and public sectors and examines the effects of market competition and government regulation. Examines the ways that medical providers are paid, and explores the major issues currently facing physicians, hospitals, and the pharmaceutical industry. Also discusses several potential small and large scale reforms to the U.S. healthcare system and evaluates their likely effects on healthcare spending, quality of care, and access to care.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Describe basic economic concepts related to health insurance coverage
  2. Explain how both private health insurance and public health insurance are financed
  3. Explain the ways in which private and public health insurers reimburse medical providers
  4. Compare and contrast private and public models of financing and delivery of healthcare services
  5. Define basic characteristics about the hospital, physician, and pharmaceutical drug industries
  6. Explain how nonprofit status, competition, quality, and safety affect medical providers
  7. Discuss the various determinants of access to care for low-income and vulnerable populations
  8. Evaluate how specific policy proposals will likely affect access to care and healthcare spending
  9. Analyze how the political process affects how healthcare reform is undertaken in the U.S.
Enrollment Restriction
Preference will be given to academic credit registrants