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300.651.01
Introduction to the U.S. Healthcare System

Location
East Baltimore
Term
2nd Term
Department
Health Policy and Management
Credit(s)
4
Academic Year
2012 - 2013
Instruction Method
TBD
Class Time(s)
Tu, Th, 1:30 - 3:20pm
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
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. Apply basic economic concepts related to health insurance coverage
  2. Explain how both private health insurance and public health insurance are financed
  3. Evaluate the ways in which private and public health insurers reimburse medical providers
  4. Assess private and public models of financing and delivery of healthcare services
  5. Analyze various aspects of the hospital, physician, and pharmaceutical drug sectors
  6. Explain how nonprofit status, competition, quality, and safety affect medical providers
  7. Identify 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. Critique how the political process affects how healthcare reform is undertaken in the U.S.
Enrollment Restriction
Undergraduate students are not permitted in this course