Reference no: EM133151396

1. Is the growth in health care costs a real concern for the United States? Why or why not?

2. Comment on the claim that "the U.S. health care delivery system is the finest in the world."

3. Recent legislation requires insurance companies that offer coverage for mental health or substance abuse to provide the same level of benefits as they do for medical treatments. What are the implications of this requirement for health care costs? What are the implications for value?

4. Pharmaceutical companies frequently advertise drugs that require a doctor's prescription. Consider how such advertising might affect drug costs and utilization of services by patients.

5. An August 4, 2013, a New York Times article described the role of nonmedical costs in driving up health care. European health care centers are described as "Spartan"-for example, a Belgian clinic was described as having metal folding chairs, bland wall colorings, and no gift shop. This was contrasted with a U.S. hospital that had a comfortable waiting room, a fancy lobby, and even newsstands to sell conveniences to patients and visitors. Discuss these differences in light of cost and value. What barriers might the United States face in making a transition to a more European-style system?

6. In India, doctors are usually consulted only for very difficult and complicated procedures. Routine procedures are typically handled by lower-skilled health care workers such as nurse practitioners, nurses, or paramedics. What barriers might the United States face in making a transition to a more Indian-style system?

7. Discuss three interventions at the provider level and at the state level (where much regulation occurs) that will increase value for costs in health care. Explain why the interventions will work. If they will work, why haven't we implemented them already?