Health Care Reform Strategies Adopted by States

Health is very vital in any state economy. Many states have been on the fore-front to revive and improve their health economy as a whole. To do this they have seen the need of developing and improving health strategies. Health care reform strategy is a continuous practice of vital change of policies and procedures in the health sector usually done by a health body in the government. It involves a series of laid done process with an aim of fulfilling the core health objectives which are; improving access to health services, providing quality care and controlling the rise of health costs. In this paper we will focus on some of the health strategies including affordable care act, financial reforms, national essential drug systems.

Affordable Care Act Health Reform

In 2010, President Barack Obama developed Affordable Care Act and put it in law. This was the most ever aspiring health reform established in the U. S history. Presidents that reigned before Barack Obama had tried to develop a national reform but failed. The only exception was in 1965 when President Lyndon introduced an insurance cover called Medicare aimed to assist senior citizens and low- income earning families. To achieve this reform President Obama worked with his government legislature to advance a comprehensive reform legislation. It faced opposition from political movement and activists receiving support only from democrats. It succeeded on March 23, 2010.

Affordable Care Act has a well-established funding structure. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the ACA’s budget is estimated to cost roughly $1. 363 billion over the period of 2014-2023. The estimated funds are raised from discretionary funding which is done annually through appropriations. Affordable Care act has also introduced an annual fee on health insurance providers. They are expected to pay a fee to the federal government depending on net premium net written. Government entities are exempted from these rates and self-insured plan.

Affordable Care Act has impacted positively to the society. It has developed new structures which have enabled nearly all citizens to have an insurance cover. It has also provided medical aid to low- income earners and adults. Besides that, it has created new initiatives to increase health promotion and prevention of diseases. It has also been able to increase the numbers and improve working conditions of health workers. In addition it has been able to fight corruption and abuse thus promoting transparency.

States developed viable financial health services to curb the problem of low investments in the health sector which has been the case for the last few decades. According to reports presented by World Health Organization average total expenditure in most countries is about 2-8 percent of their GDP. Some of the financial mechanism adopted by states include community-financing systems to protect poor families. Hospital care has been expanded through public-private joint venture initiatives. Some countries are working with international and national private corporations to assist in establishment of big and medium-scale hospitals.

China established an indispensable drug schemes at local levels. In 2009 the government compiled national essential drug list and issued a copy of strengthening this model. It issued price regulations on sale of drugs on retail and achieved essential clinical drug guidelines to be followed. With time 82 percent of the counties had adopted this reform in their local reimbursement list. Provinces developed platforms to allow purchases of non-profit drugs at provincial levels. With time all thirty one provinces agreed to this reform.

This reform resulted in lower drug prices by 25 to 50 percent in areas where it was adopted. It also contributed to improvement of medical services at county levels. Just like U. S china relied on patients charges to generate its revenue. It also relies on Social insurance to fund the health reforms. China also relies on local government to fund its Medical Assistance program for the poor. The government also pays premium contribution to the poor in the urban and rural basic social insurance.

Conclusion

States have developed health care reform strategies which have impacted positively to the health sector. States have adopted health strategies including Affordable care Act, financing reforms and new drug reform strategies. Affordable Care Act introduced by U. S government is one of the main strategies introduced. It has enabled nearly all citizens to afford a medical insurance. In addition it has enabled low income adults and citizens to afford medical services. If this reform continues to be put in place more and more benefits will be felt in the health sector. Other states which have not yet adopted health reform strategies should also work towards that to allow their citizen to enjoy health reforms benefits.

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