The Future Challenges Facing
Health Care in the United States
Battina
HSA 500
December 11, 2010

Identify and describe at least three of the most difficult issues facing health care in the United States today.
Three of the most difficult issues facing health care in the United States today are the uninsured and the disenfranchised, the future of the pharmaceutical industry and the shortage of health care personnel.
According to Williams and Torrens (2010), there are an estimated 50 million people which includes children that are uninsured. The lack of access to care leads to the compromise of the quality of care, especially for the uninsured. A recent study of the uninsured has shown that they receive only about half as much care as people who are continuously insured. Several studies have shown that when they have a serious disease the diagnosis is not received promptly, nor do they get a more innovative and expensive treatment, according to Slutsky (2007),
The pharmaceutical industry issues are endless. As much as the government tries to contain and develop the guidelines for the production of what can improve and extend life lines the market controls pricing , which varies internationally. Of the underinsured, there are the Medicare beneficiaries who cannot afford prescription drugs or long term care services due to lack of coverage. The more innovative and experimental drugs are too expensive and not covered by Medicare or Medicaid. One of the major challenges that health care system faces in the role of General practitioners and attracting students for residency in this field. There is a major shortage of nurses and primary physicians. Ironically, there are not enough slots for residency programs due to cut backs made by Medicare. The challenge is attracting, training, motivating and retaining personnel.

Indentify and describe