Individual Rights and Health Policy: How the U.S. Compares to Other High-Income Countries

Topic 1: Examining Individual Rights in Health Care

Discuss whether or not you think it is an individual’s right to have health care. In other words, if someone does not want healthcare coverage, does the government have the right to say that she or he must have coverage (U.S. health care before the ACA versus universal health care in other countries)?

Thoroughly;

compare and contrast how the U.S. approach to health rights differs from that of other high-income countries.

evaluate the types and limitations of individual legal rights associated with health care.

The United States spends more on health care than any other nation, yet we tend to have poorer health outcomes and a lower life expectancy. Please discuss why you think this is and whether it makes the case for the Affordable Care Act. 

Be sure to;

Outline the basic elements of health insurance.

Discuss health policy issues relating to health insurance.

Identify key challenges in public health funding and how this drives public health policy.

Consider the Affordable Care Act and other government health insurance programs. Many individuals feel that the spending for these programs is out of control and that they need to be reformed. Please discuss some of your suggestions for reforming the programs. 

Be sure to critique the current governmental health insurance programs: Medicaid, CHIP, and Medicare.