300.651.81 INTRODUCTION TO THE U.S. HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

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.

At the conclusion of 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) Understand 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; and (9) Analyze how the political process affects how healthcare reform is undertaken in the U.S.