A Public Health Policy Analysis Paper: Essay on the California Universal Healthcare Act
Senate Bill 810 was through the
efforts of Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco). According to Senator Leno,
“California is being overrun by out-of-control health care costs, which has a
significant impact on the state budget, businesses and families. Our single
payer plan not only guarantees universal coverage for all Californians, but
also contains health care costs, which is essential to solving our state budget
crisis in the long term.” This health care bill is in support for the
Affordable Care Act endorsed by President Barack Obama. In recent years, health
care has become a major priority among states in the US and California is one
of the most aggressive in starting a trend towards effective and efficient
health care services.
The bill has gained support from
various stakeholders. Just recently, the bill was approved by the Senate Health
Committee. This is a important hurdle to overcome considering that health care
bills have been a debated issue in various circles. A group of medical
practitioners including majority of doctors and nurses in California have
voiced their support to the bill. Based on current figures, some 2 million
Californians, which include patients, households, and various professionals
have lined up to push for the enactment of SB 810. The clamor for health care
reform centers on the government capacity to ensure that cheap services are
available for the population. Legislations that address these issues will
likely get majority support from all stakeholders.
California allocates an estimated
amount of $200 billion for the current health care programs. These massive
spending has proven to be inefficient and approximately 30 percent of the funds
are wasted because of the fragmented system. The bill not only improves the
system bu the spending method as well. About $8 billion is expected to be saved
during the first year after he bill is enacted. Then the savings are projected
to increases every year because of the system being contracted. Given the many
problems the State has in different areas, the capacity to spend better is
critical. California is in dire need of this reform because health care is a
must.
SB 810 seeks to establish a
single-payer government-run agency that will organize a system providing
complete and comprehensive health care services to Californians. The services
will be funded by the State and patients have the capacity to choose their
preferred professional health care service provider. The benefits offered by
the proposed system include diagnoses and treatment for diseases. One of the
goals of the system is to ensure the mental and physical health of
Californians. Other health care services include surgeries, emergency cases,
hospital confinement, case management, home-based health care services, day
care, and hospice.
Before the system goes full
implementation, a period of four years is allotted for the transition. The
period also includes the time needed for the development and design of the
system. The government will have a hands-on approach in the financing,
processes, and oversight of the project. It is important that the State
Secretary of Human and Health Services notify the higher ups in the government
that funding is sufficient. The system aims to combine modern health care
technology and methodologies. Tapping of private partners could be considered
given the enormity and complexity of the project.
The system to be developed features
several checks and balances in the technical, operational, and administrative
aspects. Moreover, the government has to ensure the financial sustainability of
the project. Since California is a huge State, regional planning will be done
to identify the needs of the citizens. The planning is also important in
preventing duplication of medical equipment. The members of the project’s
technical working group would come from different stakeholders from medical
professionals to common individuals. Policy experts would also participate in
the planning process.
References
Health Care
For All – California. “What Is the California Universal Healthcare Act (SB
810)?”
2012. < http://healthcareforall.org/what-is-the-california-universal-healthcare-act-sb-810>
Health Care
Now. “California Single Payer Health Care Bill Passes Health Committee.” 5 May
2011. < http://www.healthcare-now.org/ca-senator-lenos-single-payer-health-care-bill-passes-health-committee>
Essay on the California Universal Healthcare Act can be ordered at the best writing service which is provided by the best American and British professionals.
ReplyDelete