Reference no: EM133522226

The United States health care delivery system is working diligently to eliminate disparities. According to the National Library of Medicine (2023), "in the 1960's, civil rights activist and senior citizens advocated for Medicare and Medicaid, the first national health programs in the United States. Following the end of legal segregation by race, citizen groups began targeting continuing racial and economic inequalities in the health care system. Radical social movements went even further in defining community-based health care as an essential component of their versions for a new society" (p.1). Along with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that prohibits discrimination to anyone based on national origin, sex, religion, race, or color, the recent intention is to provide improved access to any and all publicly funded health care opportunities.

Many people today face barriers to quality health care services. The Institute of Medicine (2022) defines access to quality health care as the "timely use of personal health services to achieve the best possible health care outcomes" (p.1).

1. Analyze historical laws that improved access to health care and include possible gaps found in these laws.

2. Discuss stigmas, bias, and barriers to health care for all citizens. Over time, have these issues changed in a positive/or negative manner?

3. Health care disparities can be viewed as multidimensional. Explain which two issues are at the forefront of today's conversation regarding a lack of access to quality health care for all citizens:

Race/Ethnicity

Socioeconomic status

Age

Demographic

Gender

Sexual Orientation

Disability

Educational Inequalities

4. Discuss two ways that transformational leadership can improve access and outcomes for patients.