1. HEALTH CARE IS THE DIAGNOSIS,TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF DISEASE,ILLNESS, INJURY AND OTHER PHYSICAL AND MENTAL IMPAIRMENTS IN HUMAN BEINGS

2. HEALTH CARE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE VARIES ACROSS COUNTRIES; COUNTRIES HAVE DIFFERENT POLICIES AND PLANS. IN ALL CASES- A WELL FUNCTIONING HEALTH CARE SYSTEM REQUIRES: 1. ROBUST FINANCING MECHANISM 2.WELL TRAINED AND PAID WORKFORCE 3. WELL MAINTAINED HEALTH FACILITIES

3. US Health care Majority covered by private/employer-based insurance. Obvious limitations: those who are unemployed, elderly, or disabled are not covered.(44million) Public social/welfare insurance programs: Medicare, supplemental ins. For the elderly(65) Medicaid, provides ins. For low-income and children.(Oregon health plan) Problems: Americans who do not qualify for medicaid, employers who do not offer ins.and private ins. Is very expensive. However, health care is still provided, costs are incurred and paid for by all sectors of society.

4. OBAMACARE:affordable care act Designed to extend health coverage to those without ins. Mainly due to rising costs of ins. And high unemployment. Introduced in 2010. Provides protection, availability, affordability and quality ins.to uninsured Americans. Free preventative care and drug coverage. Eliminates pre-existing conditions and ins. Co. from dropping you when you are sick. Expands Medicaid by creating a marketplace where low-to-middle income can shop for free or low cost ins.

5. obamacare Let’s children stay on parents plan until age of 26. Mandates large employers to provide ins. Requires everyone who can afford health ins. to obtain by 2014 or be fined. You must obtain and maintain minimum essential coverage or face a tax penalty for each month you go without coverage. Can only be purchased during open enrollment Nov-Feb.

6. Obama care marketplace Creates marketplace where Americans can buy private health ins. Using group buying power.(state online exchange) Allows one to research every policy and choose the right one for you and your family. The cost/subsidies depends on your income, only those below a certain income level receive free health coverage. Fines: $95.00 singles per month due to “shared responsibilities” 2015 $325 – 2016 $695.

7. Other nations systems Referred to as Single payer/socialized/universal systems. Government pays for all healthcare costs. Doctors employed by gov. Hospitals owned by gov. Funded by citizen taxes. Examples: Canada, U.K., armed forces, Europe Issues: Long waiting lists, restrictions on choice of Dr., no longer free