POLICYSTUDYASSIGNMENTINSTRUCTIONS
OVERVIEW
You will complete 2 policy studies in this course:
Policy Study 1: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
Policy Study 2: Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act.
INSTRUCTIONS
Research each policy and respond to the discussion questions below.
1. How has the health policy transformed health care delivery?
2. What are the positive and negative effects of the health care policy?
3. What recommendations do you have to enhance the policy in its current state?
Each Policy Study must be at least 1,000 words, cite at least 2 peer-reviewed journal articles in
addition to the course textbook (Morone, J., & Ehlke, D. 2018. Health Politics and Policy– with access 5th ed.. Boston, MA: Cengage.,) and include biblical integration. Each Policy Study must be
double-spaced, follow current APA format, and include a title page and a reference page. The
word count does not include the title page and the reference page.
Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
In this assignment, we will be discussing the two policy studies – Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA). The purpose of this assignment is to gain an understanding of how these policies have transformed healthcare delivery, analyze the positive and negative effects of these policies, and provide recommendations to enhance them in their current state.
Question 1: How has the health policy transformed health care delivery?
Answer: The health policy has transformed healthcare delivery in several ways. For instance, HIPAA has revolutionized patient privacy and security by establishing strict regulations and standards for the use and disclosure of protected health information. This has led to improved confidentiality and reduced instances of unauthorized access to patient data. Similarly, MACRA has introduced significant changes in the payment model by transitioning to a value-based reimbursement system. This shift has incentivized healthcare providers to focus on quality care delivery and patient outcomes, rather than the traditional fee-for-service model.
Question 2: What are the positive and negative effects of the health care policy?
Answer: Both HIPAA and MACRA have had positive and negative effects on healthcare. The positive effects of HIPAA include increased patient trust and confidence in the healthcare system, improved data sharing among healthcare providers, and reduced healthcare fraud and abuse. On the other hand, the negative effects of HIPAA include increased administrative burden on healthcare organizations, potential delays in accessing patient information in emergencies, and challenges in achieving interoperability between different healthcare information systems. Similarly, the positive effects of MACRA include incentivizing healthcare providers to deliver high-quality care, promoting care coordination and integration, and reducing healthcare costs in the long run. However, the negative effects of MACRA include potential disparities in care access for underserved populations, increased administrative burden on small practices, and potential financial penalties for providers who do not meet the performance measures.
Question 3: What recommendations do you have to enhance the policy in its current state?
Answer: To enhance the policy in its current state, several recommendations can be considered. For HIPAA, streamlining the administrative processes and reducing the burden on healthcare organizations can be achieved through the use of standardized electronic health record systems and interoperability between different systems. Efforts should also be made to ensure that emergency healthcare providers have quick access to patient information while still maintaining privacy and security. Additionally, enhancing patient education and awareness about their rights and responsibilities under HIPAA can further improve its effectiveness.
Regarding MACRA, it is crucial to address the potential disparities in care access for underserved populations. This can be achieved by providing additional resources and support to healthcare organizations serving these communities, incentivizing the adoption of innovative care delivery models, and ensuring that performance measures consider the unique challenges faced by these providers. Moreover, continuous monitoring and evaluation of the policy’s impact on healthcare costs and patient outcomes can help in identifying areas of improvement and refining the performance measures to align with the evolving healthcare landscape.
In conclusion, both HIPAA and MACRA have significantly transformed healthcare delivery. While they have brought about positive changes such as improved patient privacy and quality care delivery, they also have their share of challenges. By implementing the aforementioned recommendations, these policies can be enhanced to better address the evolving healthcare needs and ensure equitable access to high-quality care for all individuals.
