Reply to the (two) discussion. Each reply must be 450 words each. Review the attachment for the grading rubic.

Instructions:

Each reply must be at least 450 words. Each reply must include at least 2 peer-reviewed source citations, in current APA format.  Each thread will also require integration of at least 1 biblical principle.

Discussion #1

 Topic: Understanding History and Its Effects

An understanding of the history of health care delivery serves the purpose of realizing where the U.S. health care system is presently situated, and the course it will take in the future.  History is involved with more than just health care.  It involves all aspects of life - the formations and paths of countries and world, along with the formation of ourselves, both physical and spiritual.  Deuteronomy 5:15 (HCSB), states, "Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out of there with a strong hand and an outstretched arm.  That is why the LORD your God has commanded you to keep the Sabbath day."  Again, remembering is so important that God instructed Moses to relay to the Israelites, "These will serve as tassels for you to look at, so that you may remember all the LORD's commands and obey them and not become unfaithful by following your own heart and your own eyes," (Numbers 15:39, HCSB).  This reminder was required to be passed down through the generations.  The obvious question is why?  Why remember?  God answers this in the following verse (40): “This way you will remember and obey all My commands and by holy to your God.”  God knows, and we should also know by now, that we are a forgetful people.  If we do not place reminders in our paths, we will forget our experiences, and will drift away into engaging in activities that we have no business being involved with.

 The United States is unique.  I firmly believe it is unique because this country was first established upon biblical foundations and obedience to God.  As such, God’s blessings were upon this great nation in the beginning, and through many years of its growth.  Just as God promised His blessing upon the Israelites, as a people, it was conditional.  It required them to obey God’s commandments, and to love Him and serve only Him.  God has made His expectations very clear.  He has provided us His Word, the Bible, to remind us of His promises and expectations.  We need only to read, study, and obey.

 The reason I mention the above is because it has played a large part of how we have viewed health care in the United States.  The most persuasive factor that has impacted U.S. health care is the firm belief that it is every citizen’s responsibility to ‘carry his load’.  We have what we own because we work hard, and hard work pays off.  If you do not work, then one can expect not to have much, if anything.  Is this an offshoot of Proverbs 19:15 (HCSB), “Laziness induces deep sleep, and a lazy person will go hungry”?  There are plenty of other references, such as, “The diligent hand will rule, but laziness will lead to forced labor” (12:24, HCSB), and “Because of laziness the roof caves in, and because of negligent hands the house leaks” (Ecclesiastes 10:18, HCSB).

 Although no textbook I have read regarding this subject has mentioned the Bible as being a predominant factor in shaping U.S. health care, some factors listed in our class text allude to this.  Shi and Singh (2017, p. 54), listed within exhibit 3.1 forces that changed U.S. health care delivery.  The first category is ‘cultural beliefs and values’, with the first sub-set listing being ‘self-reliance’.  This directly alludes to what was discussed above.  Political candidates, whether the voted members in Congress or the elected President, have listened to this factor, and has contributed to the failure of a national health insurance program, as well as a fully sponsored federal health care system.  It has long been held that hard-workers do not want hand-outs, and do not want government involvement in such matters.  Much of this establishment had to do with the Great Depression, and the earlier World Wars.  When people suffer together, it creates a bond.  Within that bond, there are also many beliefs that do not need to be spoken, because they are automatically understood amongst those living through such times.  During times of hardship, people do not want to hear people complaining, particularly if those complaining are not contributing to the overall betterment of society.  This is simply another way of stating to take responsibility for your actions.

Here is an example.  Blankinship (2016, December 15), wrote an opinion in The Seattle Times, entitled, “Don’t complain, millennials; stand up and take action after the election.”  The article outlines actions that millennials can take to make change occur in the direction they desire.  Rather than simply protesting, it requires action such as voting for the candidate they want to see in office.  Many millennials did not vote.  It takes volunteering for organizations, broadening their social network, and even making changes at home, such as proposing bills.  In other words, it takes work.  This can be figuratively meant as, “if you don’t work, you don’t eat.”

There are many other factors preventing a national health care system being completely sponsored by the federal government for all to use.  To completely analyze all of them would require much more than this discussion board will allow.  One thing is for sure: the U.S. health care system is rapidly changing, and beginning to lean more on the federal government rather than private run sponsorship.  Could it be as a direct result of Biblical values and adherence, or lack thereof?

References

Blankinship, D. G. (2016, December 15). Don't complain, millennials; stand up and take action after the election. Retrieved July 13, 2017, from The Seattle Times: http://www.seattletimes.com

Shi, L., & Singh, D. A. (2017). Essentials of the U.S. Health Care System (Fourth Edition ed.). Burlington, MA, USA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.

Discussion #2

Topic: Foundation of U.S. Health Care Delivery

Top of Form

What purpose does an understanding of the history of health care delivery serve?

"Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security".

The understanding of the history of health care delivery increases our chances of moving forward and making the system better. If we know the history of health care delivery we can improve current processes and create new standards and procedures for the future.  We can also invent new medical equipment for hospitals, doctors offices and patients to have in their home and come up with creative ways to fund it. It is important as a health care consumer to understand the history of the U.S. health care delivery system, how it operates today, who participates in the system, what legal and ethical issues arise as a result of the system, and what problems continue to plague the health care system.(Jones&Bartlett).

Which factor or factors have been predominant in shaping U.S. health care?

     Cultural beliefs and values, social changes, technological advances, economic constraints, political opportunism, and ecological forces are the main historical factors that have continued to shape U.S. health care delivery. (Shi & Singh).

What have been their effects?

Providing assistance to people who can't pay for medical care such as Medicaid or Medicare is one of the effects of cultural beliefs & values.   Insurance through employers also assist families for a fee from their paycheck according to their pay frequency. Changes have been made to no longer segregate patients if it is not medically necessary. More research is constantly being done to find cures for diseases and better ways to service patients. Training for health care professionals are being view more carefully as well as needed certifications for jobs such as Medical Assistants, and now wanting RNs to go from RN to BSNs. Although health care cost is on the rise and people pay more now than ever for certain processes and procedures, their hospital stays are much shorter and some procedures that used to require a hospital stay can be done as outpatient. I always thought it was the insurance calling the shots as to how long you can stay in the hospital, but maybe not.

The hospital industry continues to evolve, streamlining and improving patient care, integrating big data and moving from a fee-for service to a fee-for-outcome payment model. The hospitals of yesterday were quite different from the sprawling health care centers that are common in the United States today.(Hospital of Yesterday). The way payments are made to doctors are different today than they were in the past. There's more help from the government and more people have insurance or some form of assistance than was offered in the past.

References:

Overview of the U.S. Healthcare Delivery System Jones& Bartlett Retrieved from; http://samples.jbpub.com/9781449615192/69840_CH01_Niles.pdf

Shi, L., & Singh, D. A. (2017). Essentials of the U.S. health care system — with access (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Hospital of Yesterday: The Biggest Changes in Health Care. Retrieved from: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/hospital-of-tomorrow/articles/2014/07/15