The role of the federal government in healthcare has been very significant. Establishing Medicare and Medicaid in 1965 ensured access to insurance coverage for many of the United States population (Straube, 2013). The importance of healthcare, especially among the elderly population, who are vulnerable to different chronic conditions and falls cannot be over emphasized as it should be solely about improving health outcomes. Public sector institutions sometimes control what happens in the healthcare system, thereby affecting the care of the elderly population. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is an influential federal healthcare legislation. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) explains various ways in which federal legislation addresses the inefficacy of current federal healthcare efforts, by emphasizing the importance of promoting good health and preventing diseases (Straube, 2013). This legislation has been beneficial to the elderly population as they manage their diagnoses while improving their health outcomes.
The foundation of healthcare reform should be about reducing the cost of healthcare and improving its outcomes. Unfortunately, most people don’t get to enjoy these benefits because of the direct and indirect influence of public sector institutions on healthcare outcomes. The elderly population is often affected by this due to some stipulations that accompany their insurance coverage, thereby limiting their ability to receive quality healthcare services. For the elderly population in Arizona, there is the availability of Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), but they are still mandated to meet specific income requirements before they can have access to services. It is important to consider the elderly population and what this means to their health as it affects their ability to seek quality healthcare services. The elderly population at risk for falls are sometimes hospitalized, and some of them don’t like going to the hospital after falling because of their inability to cover their healthcare cost, and the influence of insurance companies and other public sector institutions on healthcare.
In the United States, various fall prevention programs are directed towards preventing falls among the elderly population. Also, as previously mentioned, the Arizona Falls Prevention Coalition which was created by the Arizona Department of Health Services has its focus on preventing falls and injuries. Some public sectors are interested in improving health outcomes, while some are only interested in what benefits them. It is important to always consider the health of the public when making healthcare-related decisions because it will enable those who have chronic conditions and other health-related problems to seek healthcare services, and receive quality standard care while improving their health and healthcare outcomes.
References
Arizona Administrative Code. (2018). Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System – Administration. Retrieved from https://apps.azsos.gov/public_services/Title_09/9-22.pdf
Arizona Department of Health Services(n.d.). Arizona Falls Prevention Coalition. Retrieved from https://www.azdhs.gov/prevention/tobacco-chronic-disease/healthy-aging/falls-prevention/index.php
Straube, B.M. (2013). A role for government, an observation on federal healthcare efforts in prevention. Am J Prev Med 2013, 44(1), S39 –S42. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2012.09.009
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